Page:Sermons by John-Baptist Massillon.djvu/441



Behold, in  effect,  the  grand  tidings  which,  for  four  thousand years, the  world  had  expected;  behold  the  grand  event  which  so many  prophets  had  foretold,  so  many  ceremonies  had  figured,  so many  righteous  had  awaited,  and  which  all  nature  seemed  to  promise, and  to  hasten  by  the  universal  corruption  spread  through  all flesh: behold  the  grand  blessing  which  God's  goodness  prepared for men,  after  the  infidelity  of  their  first  parent  had  rendered  them all subject  to  sin  and  death.

The Saviour,  the  Christ,  the  Lord,  at  last  appears  this  day  on  the earth. The over-shadowed  brings  forth  the  righteous;  the  star  of Jacob  appears  to  the  universe;  the  sceptre  is  departed  from  Judah, and he,  who  was  to  come,  is  arrived;  the  age  of  darkness  is  accomplished;  the  promised  sign  of  the  Lord  to  Judea  hath  appeared;  a virgin  has  conceived  and  brought  forth,  and  out  of  Bethlehem  comes the leader  who  is  to  enlighten  and  govern  all  Israel.

What new  blessings,  my  brethren,  doth  this  birth  not  announce to men! It would  not,  during  so  many  ages,  have  been  announced, awaited,  desired;  it  would  not  have  formed  the  religion of a  whole  people,  the  object  of  all  the  prophecies,  the  unravelling of all  the  figures,  the  sole  end  of  all  the  proceedings  of  God  toward men, had  it  not  been  the  grandest  mark  of  his  love  which  he  could give them. What a  blessed  night  is  that  which  presides  at  this divine bringing  forth! It hath  seen  the  light  of  the  world  shine forth in  its  darkness;  the  heavens  resound  with  joy  and  songs  of thanksgiving.

But, my  brethren,  we  must  participate  in  the  blessings  which this birth  is  meant  to  bring  us,  in  order  to  enter  into  all  the  transports of  delight  which  it  spreads,  through  the  heavens  and  the earth. The common  joy  is  founded  only  on  the  common  salvation which is  offered  to  us;  and  if,  in  spite  of  this  aid,  we  still  obstinately persist  in  perishing,  the  church  weeps  over  us,  and  we  mingle mourning  and  sorrow  with  that  joy  with  which  such  blessed tidings inspire  it.

Now, what  are  the  inestimable  blessings  which  this  birth  brings to men? The heavenly  spirits  come  themselves  to  make  it  known to the  shepherds;  it  comes  to  render  glory  to  God,  and  peace  to men;  and  behold  the  whole  foundation  of  this  grand  mystery  laid open. To God,  that  glory  of  which  men  had  wished  to  deprive him; to  men,  that  peace  of  which  they  had  never  ceased  their struggles to  deprive  themselves.