Imitate their conduct, and you will be visited by divine grace.
III. Consider more particularly the necessity of practising humility. Satan and his associates had fallen from heaven, in consequence of their pride: and pride was the cause of the apostasy of our first parents, and of all the consequences of original sin. Since that period it has been the ruling passion of mankind. No vice is more opposite to the end of our creation. To destroy this passion, then, was one of the most important objects of Christ's Incarnation. Hence, on every occasion he gives us perfect examples of the opposite virtue. He is born of a poor virgin, in a wretched stable; He is abandoned by those whom He came to save; and His first visitors were poor, humble shepherds. In a word, His whole life was one grand and divine act of humility. Conceive, then, the importance of this virtue: and learn from Christ to practise it. Be convinced, that without it all is lost, and that it is the best test of real piety, devotion, and religion.
DECEMBER 30.
The Message to the Shepherds.— II.
I. Consider the words of the angel: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings — for this day is born to you a Saviour." (Luke ii. 10, 11.) The joys of the world are either vain or base, or worse. The only true and solid satisfaction for a Christian is to be found in God, and in things belonging to our salvation: and this joy, as Christ Himself says, " no man shall take from you." (John xvi. 20.) Reflect, how many reasons you have to rejoice at the birth of this Saviour, " who shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. i. 21), that is,
