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As the angels disappeared； the light faded away； and the shadows of night once more fell on the hills of Bethlehem。 But the brightest picture ever beheld by human eyes remained in the memory of the shepherds。 〃And it came to pass； as the angels were gone away from them into heaven； the shepherds said one to another； Let us now go even unto Bethlehem； and see this thing which is come to pass； which the Lord hath made known unto us。 And they came with haste； and found Mary； and Joseph； and the babe lying in a manger。〃
Departing with great joy； they made known the things they had seen and heard。 〃And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds。 But Mary kept all these things； and pondered them in her heart。 And the shepherds returned； glorifying and praising God。〃
Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angels' song。 Humanity is still as much the object of heaven's solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday； and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields。 To us in the common walks of life； heaven may be very near。 Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's command。
The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme。 In it is hidden 〃the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God。〃 Rom。 11：33。 We marvel at the Saviour's sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger； and the companionship of adoring angels for the
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beasts of the stall。 Human pride and self…sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence。 Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension。 It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature； even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden。 But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin。 Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity。 What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors。 He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations； and to give us the example of a sinless life。
Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God。 He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned。 He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners。 Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come； a helpless babe； subject to the weakness of humanity。 He permitted Him to meet life's peril in common with every human soul； to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it； at the risk of failure and eternal loss。
The heart of the human father yearns over his son。 He looks into the face of his little child； and trembles at the thought of life's peril。 He longs to shield his dear one from Satan's power； to hold him back from temptation and conflict。 To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk； God gave His only…begotten Son； that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones。 〃Herein is love。〃 Wonder； O heavens！ and be astonished； O earth！
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Chapter 5
The Dedication
About forty days after the birth of Christ； Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem； to present Him to the Lord； and to offer sacrifice。 This was according to the Jewish law； and as man's substitute Christ must conform to the law in every particular。 He had already been subjected to the rite of circumcision； as a pledge of His obedience to the law。
As an offering for the mother； the law required a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering； and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering。 But the law provided that if the parents were too poor to bring a lamb； a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons； one for a burnt offering； the other for a sin offering； might be accepted。
The offerings presented to the Lord were to be without blemish。 These offerings represented Christ； and from this it is evident that Jesus Himself was free from physical deformity。 He was the 〃lamb without blemish and without spot。〃 1 Peter 1：19。 His physical structure was not marred by any defect； His body was strong and healthy。 And throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity to nature's laws。 Physically
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as well as spiritually； He was an example of what God designed all humanity to be through obedience to His laws。
The dedication of the first…born had its origin in the earliest times。 God had promised to give the First…born of heaven to save the sinner。 This gift was to be acknowledged in every household by the consecration of the first…born son。 He was to be devoted to the priesthood； as a representative of Christ among men。
In the deliverance of Israel from Egypt； the dedication of the first…born was again commanded。 While the children of Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians； the Lord directed Moses to go to Pharaoh； king of Egypt； and say； 〃Thus saith the Lord； Israel is My son； even My first…born： and I say unto thee； Let My son go； that he may serve Me： and if thou refuse to let him go； behold； I will slay thy son； even thy first…born。〃 Ex。 4：22； 23。
Moses delivered his message； but the proud king's answer was； 〃Who is the Lord； that I should obey His voice to let Israel go？ I know not the Lord； neither will I let Israel go。〃 Ex。 5：2。 The Lord worked for His people by signs and wonders； sending terrible judgments upon Pharaoh。 At length the destroying angel was bidden to slay the first…born of man and beast among the Egyptians。 That the Israelites might be spared； they were directed to place upon their doorposts the blood of a slain lamb。 Every house was to be marked； that when the angel came on his mission of death； he might pass over the homes of the Israelites。
After sending this judgment upon Egypt； the Lord said to Moses； 〃Sanctify unto Me all the first…born； 。 。 。 both of man and of beast： it is Mine；〃 〃for on the day that I smote all the first…born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first…born in Israel； both man and beast： Mine shall they be： I am the Lord。〃 Ex。 13：2； Num。 3：13。 After the tabernacle service was established； the Lord chose the tribe of Levi in the place of the first…born of all Israel to minister in the sanctuary。 But the first…born were still to be regarded as the Lord's； and were to be bought back by a ransom。
Thus the law for the presentation of the first…born was made particularly significant。 While it was a memorial of the Lord's wonderful deliverance of the children of Israel； it prefigured a greater deliverance； to be wrought out by the only…begotten Son of God。 As the blood sprinkled on the doorposts had saved the first…born of Israel； so the blood of Christ has power to save the world。
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What meaning then was attached to Christ's presentation！ But the priest did not see through the veil； he did not read the mystery beyond。 The presentation of infants was a common scene。 Day after day the priest received the re