66 "1 the reflection of this, "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.' Let us for a few moments try to enter a little into this wonderful mystery of "God manifest in the flesh," and as we gaze and ponder we can only exclaim, 'O the depths of the riches of His grace."" For what is this Gift? "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."3 "He spared not His own Son."4 That Son in whom His soul delighted, and was well pleased.5"He who, being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,' was made flesh and dwelt among us.' "97 He who was in "the form of God, . . . took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.' "18 Four thousand years before, God had promised to our first parents, in the Garden of Eden, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head," and later, by his prophet Isaiah, He said, "A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." 10 And now, when the fulness of time was come, we hear that sweetest of all the sweet messages borne to us by angel lips, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."11 Let us go even now in spirit with the shepherds, and, as we reverently bend over that infant form, Whose birthplace was the manger in Bethlehem, let us once more listen to the herald as he pronounces His titles, "His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." 12 Shall we not say with Thomas, "My Lord, and my God"? But to whom was this wondrous Gift offered? Not to loving, obedient children; not to faithful servants, not to loyal subjects. Listen to our Father's own lament, "I 1 Isa. ix. 6. 3 John iii. 16. 5 Isa. xlii. 1; Matt. iii. 17. 7 John i. 14. 8 Phil. ii. 6, 7. 9 Gen. iii. 15. 10 Isa. vii. 14. 11 Luke ii. 10, II. 12 Isa. ix. 6. have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me." "What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?"2 The Lord looked down from heaven to see if there were any seeking after Him. But what met His holy eyes? All were gone astray, all were become filthy, "not one that doeth good."3 No, indeed, it was not even to erring but repentant children that He, God's great Gift, was sent, but to those whose heart was "enmity against God," to the "ungodly," to "sinners." Blessed Lord Jesus, "When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb," and, for Good Friday is but the following up of Christmas, “When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers." 4 Such is our Heavenly Father's great Christmas Gift, and in this one Gift is included all others that a Father's love can bestow, for "In Christ all things are ours." 5 In Him we have forgiveness of sins, the adoption of children, the abiding indwelling of the Holy Spirit; we become heirs of an unfading inheritance; we have deliverance from our great enemy, and grace for every time of need. If we are poor or weak, it can only be because, not trusting His Word, we do not go for supplies to the inexhaustible storehouse of the "unsearchable riches of Christ," and refuse to use His strength, which is ever made perfect in weakness. Now comes the question, what are you giving Him in return for such love? True, we have nothing worth offering, but you know with what pleasure the kind father accepts the tiny toy spared from her little store by the sweet baby child who has not else to give. How it is treasured by him, and often, in after years, he looks lovingly on the first gift of the dear child now far away. Love makes even worthless things precious; and our Father in Eph. i. 5, 7; Col. i. 12, 13; John vii. 38, 39. heaven Himself craves one thing. He says, "My son, give Me thine heart."1 Oh, but you have given that before, when first the blessed truth was brought home by the Spirit to your heart, that Jesus loved you, and gave Himself for you. Yes, but think; is it not a sadly divided heart-a heart too often distracted by cares, and weighed down by burdens, and shared with others? Is that all that you can give? Ask Him once again to take you to-day and for ever, and to make you a "living sacrifice," wholly His; to teach and enable you day by day, rather hour by hour, to do the thing that pleaseth Him. Do this in His promised strength, and in the spirit of that sweet singer who is now in the presence of the King— "Take myself, and I will be Ever, ONLY ALL for Thee." As for me, though I be poor and needy, yet the Lord careth for me. W HEN the proud ones pass me by With a cold averted eye, And the worldling, whose sole trust Still this thought my heart shall cheer, Careth yet the Lord for me. Though from morn till dewy eve, Frugal though my board be spread, Nothing here to call my own, Me! who am so little worth, Yes, my tongue, repeat the strain, Henceforth, then, no more I'll fear E. S. H. Frank Fraddon and His Father. A CHRISTMAS STORY. HAVE not had quite enough bread for breakfast," said little Frank Fraddon; "but I shall thank God, nevertheless, for it is more than I deserve. Harry Hold was grumbling yesterday because he got skimmed milk in his tea, when he had nice rock-sugar, toast, and fish as well, and a plenty to eat and leave. But I remember what you have often told me, mother, that we should be thankful for the smallest favour the Lord gives us, whether it be only what I have had this morning or a crust of bread and a cup of water. Though my breakfast has been so small, yet it is much more than Philip Hixon had yesterday; for he said to me down by the wood, when I was bringing your sewing from the village, that he had only three brown sops in his bason, and he could not tell whether he should get any dinner. But when I saw him in the evening he told me that after reading the chapter his mother opened the door, and there was a bright half-crown shining on the threshold, which God had surely sent, and which saved them from actual starvation. I have been thinking about this a good deal, and I know it has made me more grateful for my half-breakfast; so I shall thank God, mother, who has always been so good to us." Then little Frank Fraddon clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and said, in a soft and musical voice: "I thank Thee, my dear Saviour, for giving me food this morning, and all the mornings of my life; and also for preparing for me a home in heaven, where I pray Thee to bring both me and my mother, and all my friends. Amen." Susan Fraddon was standing at the end of the table, with her eyes fixed on her little boy. Surely the reader will not think less of her if we say there were tears upon her eyelids, which she sometimes wiped away with her apron? Susan Fraddon was a good woman, and loved her Lord and Master, though He had seen it best to chasten her in various ways. And this is often His course with His own people. Many of His most faithful followers are sometimes greatly straitened, even suffering, it may be, hunger and thirst, besides neglect and scorn; for has He not said, "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten"? Susan felt this, but she was not discouraged or cast down, for she looked not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 66 It was Christmas Eve, and the sight of her boy and the sound of his sorrowful words had awakened memories in her soul that scarcely ever slept, but were fresher and clearer to-day than at any other season. Several years ago Solomon |