Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/451

 in this  way  that  we  should  obey  the  inward  admonitions  of  grace to do  what  is  right. If we  do  this,  we  shall  one  day  be  with  Jesus in heaven.

The Christmas  Tree  represents  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  true  tree of life  in  the  newly  restored  paradise. He that  eateth  of  this  tree  shall live. The burning  tapers  on  the  tree  are  meant  to  show  that  Christ  is the  light  of  the  world,  'Tull  of  grace  and  truth”. The various  fruits  and sweets hanging  on  the  branches  symbolise  the  rich  gifts  and  blessings brought by  Jesus  Christ  to  the  children  of  men. The latter  too  are accustomed to  give  presents  to  each  other,  because  on  this  day  God has given  to  the  world  His  only  Begotten  Son  and  with  him everything else.

The Christian  era. As  quite  a new  era  began  with  the  Birth  of Jesus  Christ,  an  era  of  grace  and  reconciliation,  our  years  are  counted from that  time. The year  in  which  our  Lord  was  born  was  the  first year of  the  Christian  era. On Christmas-Day  this  year,  1910  years  will have passed  since  the  Birth  of  Jesus  Christ.

Why Jesus  subjected  Himself  to  circumcision.  Our  Lord  was  without sin, so  He  stood  in  no  need  of  circumcision. But He  submitted  to the  rite  for  the  following  reasons:  1. According to  the  prophecies  the Redeemer was  to  be  a true  Israelite  and  son  of  Abraham. To be such,  and  to  be  recognised  as  such,  circumcision  was  necessary. 2. By His  Incarnation  our  Lord  took  upon  Himself  the  sins  of  mankind, so as  to  make  satisfaction  for  them. For this  purpose  He  shed His Precious  Blood  for  the  first  time  in  His  circumcision,  and  showed us thereby  that  He  was  come  to  redeem  us  by  His  Blood. Therefore the name  of  Jesus,  or  Saviour,  was  given  to  Him  at  His  circumcision. 3. By  voluntarily  obeying  the  law  and  submitting  Himself  to  the  rite of circumcision,  He  wished  to  give  us  an  example  of  obedience  to  the divine law.

The Name  of  Jesus  is  the  sweetest  of  all  names; for  if  that  blessed name did  not  exist,  neither  would  there  exist  for  us  pardon,  or  grace or eternal  happiness. It is  the  object  of  our  faith,  our  hope  and  our love. Moreover the  name  of  Jesus  testifies  to  the  divine  nature  of  the Redeemer; it  not  only  means  Saviour,  but  Divine  Saviour,  and  says to us:  "Jehovah,  God,  is  our  salvation  and  deliverance!”  Thus  St.  Paul writes:  “In  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  shall  bow,  of  those  that  are in  heaven,  on  earth,  or  under  the  earth”  (Phil.  2,  10).

Are you  of  good  will  as  the  shepherds  were? Do you  listen  to  the  admonitions  of  your  guardian  angel,  of  your parents and  superiors? From henceforward  try,  for  love  of  Jesus, to be  very  obedient.