Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 2.djvu/87

 No. 56.]

, commonly called Christmas-day; on which we celebrate that great event, the birth, as man, of the everlasting and Almighty Son of God. (Dec. 25.)

. On this day we are taught to remember with joy the transaction which may be called the first act of our obedience to the law for our sakes: the beginning of that unspotted career of purity and duty, which He mercifully submitted to accomplish for the redemption of sinful man. (Jan. 1.)

, the manifestation, or making known of the new-born to the Gentiles. The first individuals, from the nations who till then had walked in darkness, who bent the knee before Him, were the Wise Men of the East; when, led by a miraculous star, they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as their offerings to Bethlehem. And this event we, in an island which has since, by God's mercy, also seen the "great light" of Christian truth, cannot too joyfully or too thankfully commemorate. (Jan. 6.)

in the temple, commonly called, the of St. Mary the Virgin. The event commemorated on this day is the fulfilment of prophecy (Malachi iii. 1.) by our Lord's appearance in the Temple, whither He was brought that His mother might comply with the rite of purification,