How did king Herod act when he heard this inquiry, which troubled not only him but all Jerusalem?

He assembled the chief priests and scribes, and inquired of them where Christ should be born, who answered, "In Bethlehem of Juda, for so it is written by the prophet." Then Herod sending the wise men to Bethlehem, desired them to seek diligently for the child, and when they had found Him, to bring him word that he also might go and adore him.

How did the wise men discover the house in which our Blessed Lord was?

As soon as they resumed their journey the star reappeared to their great joy, and went before them until it conducted them to where the child was, and entering into the house they found the child with Mary His mother, and falling down they adored Him, and opening their treasures, offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What was Herod's motive in desiring the wise men to bring him intelligence concerning the child?

To destroy Him, lest He should deprive him of his kingdom. But his malicious designs were frustrated, for the wise men were admonished in sleep not to return to him, and they went back by another road to their own country.

What mystical signification is attached to the offerings presented by the wise men ?

The offering of myrrh is considered by interpreters as an acknowledgement of the humanity of Christ, on account of myrrh being used in embalming the bodies of the dead and therefore implying mortality; it is also a figure of mortification, as incense is of prayer, and gold of charity.

By what name is the feast known which commemorates the adoration of the wise men, and when is it celebrated? It is known by the name of the Epiphany, and is celebrated on the sixth of January.

Lesson Fifth.

THE PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN, AND THE PRESENTATION OF OUR DIVINE LORD.

With what rite of the Mosaic law did the Blessed Virgin Mary comply on the fortieth day after the birth of our Lord ?

Her own purification, and her divine Son's presentation to His eternal Father in the Temple.

What sacrifice did she offer on that occasion?

That prescribed for the poor, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons.

What holy persons acknowledged our Lord on His pre

sentation?

A holy old man, named Simeon, and Anna a prophetess. The former had received a promise from God, that he should not die until he had seen Christ; and the latter served day and night in the Temple, in prayer and fasting.

Repeat the canticle of Simeon on seeing the infant Jesus, and taking Him into his arms?

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, ac

cording to Thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; a light to the revelation of the gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."

What words did Simeon address to the holy mother of Jesus?

"Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.”

How do you understand the first part of this prophecy? Simeon here prophesies what would come to pass, that many, through their own wilful blindness and obstinacy, would not believe in Christ, nor receive his doctrine, that therefore He would become by their abuse of his grace a cause of ruin to them; but to others a resurrection by their believing in Him and obeying His commandments.

On what day does the Church commemorate the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the presentation of our Lord?

On the second of February, on which day tapers are blessed and distributed to the faithful, who hold them lighted in their hands during the gospel and until the communion, in honour of Christ who is the true light, and who is called by holy Simeon "a light," &c.

Lesson Sixth.

THE MASSACRE OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS, THE FLIGHT OF OUR DIVINE LORD INTO EGYPT, AND HIS RETURN.

How did Herod act when he perceived that the wise men had deluded him?

He most cruelly caused all the male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity, who were two years old and under, to be put to death.

How did our Blessed Lord escape ?

An angel appeared in sleep to St. Joseph, after the departure of the wise men, and said, "Arise, take the

child and His mother and fly into Egypt, and be there until I shall tell thee; for it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy Him." St. Joseph immediately arose and took the child and His mother that night and retired to Egypt, where he remained until Herod's death.

How many years did the Holy Family reside in Egypt? About eight years, as is generally supposed.

How did they know when to return?

An angel appeared in sleep to St. Joseph in Egypt, informed him of Herod's death, and desired him to take the child and His mother back to the land of Israel. He did so immediately, but hearing that Archelaus, Herod's son, reigned in Judea, he was afraid to go thither, and being admonished in sleep went to Galilee.

In what city did he fix his residence?

In Nazareth, that the prediction of the prophets might. be fulfilled in our Lord, viz., that He should be called a Nazarite,

How did our Blessed Lord spend his time at Nazareth? It is supposed that He worked at St. Joseph's trade. The Evangelists make no special mention of what He did until His Baptism, except that, when He was twelve years of age, His parents took Him to Jerusalem according to their custom to celebrate the pasch, and on their return He remained behind, which they did not discover until they had gone a day's journey and after seeking Him for three days, they found Him in the

Temple in the midst of the doctors, hearing them and asking them questions, His wisdom being the astonishment of all.

What did his mother say to Him on that occasion?

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Son, why hast thou done so to us, behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing." To which He replied, "How is it that you sought me, did you not know that I must be about my Father's business." Then returning with them to Nazareth He was subject to them, and as the Evangelist adds, He advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace, with God and men.

What would our Blessed Lord have us learn from His example in these particulars?

To be humble and obedient, and continually to advance in the way of virtue.

Did the wisdom of our Divine Lord admit of increase? No; but He made it more manifest as He advanced in age. The Evangelist, in saying that He advanced, only accommodated himself to our mode of speech.

Where did St. John Baptist open his mission? In the desert of Judea, and he prepared himself for the important object by prayer, fasting, and retirement.