Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... 50 THE UNLIKELINESS OF THE THE BIRTH AND MISSION OF THE CHRIST. And when the Messiah was born, the same unlikely condition was perpetuated. Let us turn and view the birth of Christ from the orthodox Christian standpoint. Let us dwell a moment on that astounding mystery, the cardinal dogma of orthodox Churches, the union of God with man in the person of Jesus Christ. Majesty and meanness seem everywhere combined in the history of the Son of God. In the eternal counsels of the All-wise it is decreed--so we are taught--that the Son of God should be born into this world to save it from the doom of sin. The King of heaven is to descend to earth and to become a Son of Man. Who then shall be his mother? On whom among the great ones of the earth shall this chiefest honour be conferred? On none: but upon a lowly virgin espoused to a carpenter unknown and unhonoured among the world's nobility. In what city and in which of the royal palaces shall His infant form be cradled? In none: but in the corner of an empty manger of a wayside inn the Lord of Life was born. The angel hosts of heaven receive the Divine commands to herald this mighty miracle--God manifest in the flesh. To whom, then, among the kings of the earth are they commissioned to bear their message? To none: but to simple shepherds as they watch their flocks beneath the midnight sky, following their simple avocations. Kings of the East and wise men, led by the Star of Bethlehem, came to worship and offer costly oblations to the new born King, but they made their BIRTH AND LIFE OF THE CHRIST. 51 offering in a stable. So it was throughout all His life: majesty and meanness are throughout combined. As for instance when His word of power spoke peace to the diseased soul and devils trembled at...