III. When they arrived at Bethlehem, they went from one inn to another, but they could not find any entertainment. Good God! there was a place for every other kind of character; but there was no room to be found for the Son of God. "He came unto His own; and His own received Him not." (John i. n.) Observe with what patience they support this trial, and retire into a stable. " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests: but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head." (Matt. viii. 20.) Pity, admire, adore. How often have you denied Him entertainment, when your heart was occupied with worldly vanities and earthly follies!
CHRISTMAS DAY.
Christ a Little One.
"Whoever is a little one, let him come to me." (Prov. ix. 4.)
I. Consider the words of the prophet Isaias: " A little one is born to us, and a son is given to us" (Is. ix. 6); and the corresponding words of the gospel: "You shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger." (Luke ii. 12.) Thus does the Lord of majesty delight in the name of a little one; and, that He might gratify this delight, He reduced Himself almost to nothing. Contemplate this little one in His crib; and remember that it is that Being " who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and weighed the heavens with a span; who hath poised with three fingers the bulk of the earth, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance." (Is. xl. 12.)
II. This little one will be spiritually born in your soul this day, by holy communion, if you will prepare Him a crib in Bethlehem, that is, " in the house of bread." He
