even in His infancy. Let such obedience, humility, and charity, prompt you to be a follower of Christ — not in word only, but in fact.
JANUARY 3.
Our Lord's Circumcision.— II.
I. " His name was called Jesus." (Luke ii. 21.) After the painful act of circumcision, a name is given Him, which is " above every name." (Phil. ii. 10.) God honors those who suffer for His sake, and exalts those who humble themselves. Observe with what reverence His divine mother pronounces His name, at the utterance of which " every knee should bow of those who are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father." Contemplate the joy of all the celestial spirits, particularly of His blessed mother, who might well say with the Prophet, "I will joy in God my Jesus." (Habac. iii. 18.) Do you rejoice, also, in this sacred name: you have special reasons to do so, " for there is not salvation in any other name." (Acts iv. 12.)
II. Consider the excellencies of this divine name of Jesus, or Saviour. As Saviour, He has freed us from our most powerful enemy. To overcome that proud foe, He has displayed His wisdom, by appearing in the form of a servant, and by concealing under that form the nature of God. As our Redeemer, He has suffered, to release us from bondage. This Saviour has manifested His sanctity in freeing others from sin, by assuming the punishment Himself. He has proved His divinity; for no one but God could satisfy for the debt due in consequence of sin. His dominion, then, extends over all redeemed mankind. Do not attempt, therefore, to withdraw your
