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given to him by the angel before he was born, and which signifies Saviour, since he came to save mankind from sin and death.

When he was about six weeks old, his mother presented him to the Lord in the temple, as she was directed by the law of Moses Now there was a man in Jerusalem of the name of Simeon; he was a just and a devout man, who looked for the coming of the great Messiah ;* and it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not die till he had seen the Lord's Christ. This holy man came by the direction of God into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he took him up in his arms and blessed

and

* Messiah means the same as Christ, that is, one anointed. Kings were anointed, in ancient times, when they took the kingly office upon them; Jesus is called the Christ, as being appointed by God to be the Saviour of the world.

God, saying, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people—a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

There was also one Anna, a prophetess; she was of a great age, being eighty-four years old; and she departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she, coming in at that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Jesus to all those in Jerusalem who looked for deliverance.

And when the parents of Jesus had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

(Matt. ii 1-16.)

AFTER Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa, there came wise men from the East, who were guided by a star, which went before them, till it came and stood over the place where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy; and when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and did homage to him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him rich gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Now Herod the king had told them, that when they had found the child, they should bring him word, in order that he also might go and pay his homage to him; but being warned by God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were

departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, saying, "Arise, take the young child, and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and remain there till I bring thee word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." So Joseph took the child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, where he remained till the death of Herod. And Herod, when he saw that he had been deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly wroth; and he sent forth and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the neighbouring parts, from two years old and under, according to the time when he had diligently inquired of the wise men where Christ was to be born.

JESUS GOES TO JERUSALEM ATTWELVE

YEARS OF AGE.

(Matt. ii. 19-23; Luke ii. 41-52.)

AFTER Herod's death, Joseph departed from Egypt, and went and dwelt in Galilee, in a city called Nazareth.

Now the parents of Jesus went up to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they took him with them when they went up to the feast. And when the feast was over, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know this at first, but they supposed him to be in the large company which were all travelling together. They went one day's journey; and at the end of that day they missed him; and not being able to find him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance, they turned back again to Jerusalem to seek him.

And it came to pass that after three

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