Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/77

 tion, by  remaining  nine  months  imprisoned  in  His  mother's womb,  in  the  most  distressing  situation. 5. In  order that He  might  satisfy,  in  the  flesh,  for  our  debts,  like  a condemned  criminal. You, who  are  but  dust  and  ashes, learn to  be  humble,  when  you  see  the  Lord  of  hosts  thus humbled for  your  sake.

III. What were  the  first  acts  of  the  divine  infant  immediately after  His  conception? He offered  Himself and His  whole  life  to  the  eternal  Father,  as  a  holocaust and a  sacrifice  for  our  sins,  He  said,  in  the  inspired language of  His  prophet,  "  Behold,  I  come." (Ps. xxxix. 8.)  The  eternal  Father  was  pleased  with  His  new  born Son, and  He  might  well  have  said,  "Thou  art  my  Son, this  day  have  I  begotten  Thee." (Ps. ii.  7.)  This  day was a  day  of  joy  to  heaven  and  to  earth. — On this  day, " Mercy  and  truth  met  each  other:  and  justice  and  peace kissed.  Truth  has  sprung  out  of  the  earth:  and  justice has  looked  down  from  heaven." (Ps. lxxxiv.  11,  12.)

" Draw  me,  we  will  run  after  Thee  to  the  odor  of  Thy  ointments." — (Cant. i.  3.)

I. The  Pharisees,  in  the  gospel  of  to-day,  sent  to  St. John,  to  inquire  whether  or  not  he  were  the  Christ. This title belongs  to  none  but  the  Redeemer,  or  the  anointed of the  Lord. He was  anointed  by  a  triple  unction,  as King,  Prophet,  and  High  Priest. — " Thy  name  is  as  oil poured  out." (Cant. i.  2.)  "Thy  God  hath  anointed Thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness  above  Thy  fellows." (Ps. xliv. 8.)  Who,  then,  would  not  "run  after  Him  to  the odor  of  His  ointments." (Cant. i.  3.)

II. This anointed  of  the  Lord  will  visit  you  to-day  in