258 BOYS OF THE BIBLE

‘lighten not only Judea’s sacred fold, but the dwellers in all
Gentile lands! Was this month-old infant in the aged Sim-
eon’s arms to become “the glory of thy people Israel?”
Was this Jesus to become greater than Moses, or Aaron, or
David, or Solomon, or the prophets? While Joseph and
Mary stood silent in wondering amazement, the venerable
priest lifted his hand in benediction, and turning to Mary,

said:
“ Behold this child is set
For the fall and rising again of many in Israel
And for a sign which shall be spoken against.
Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also;
That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

What could all this mean? Did Joseph understand? Did
Mary comprehend? Perhaps not; but Mary laid these say-
ings up in her memory and her heart, and it may be, that
years afterwards, on that sad day when she returned, the
broken-hearted ‘‘mother of sorrows,” from the cross of her
dear son and Lord, she thought of the old priest’s words about
the sword piercing through her own soul.

Before they left the temple another voice was heard—
the voice of the aged prophetess Anna, who never left the
Temple day or night, but spent the time in fasting and prayer,
—she coming in while Simeon’s voice was lifted in benediction
“gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”

The next event of startling interest that meets us in this
wondrous story is the visit of the Wise Men, who came from
the far East to Jerusalem, led by the radiant Star of Beth-
lehem, to worship the new-born King. ‘These Wise Men, or
Magi—who, like many others, owe all their fame to their.
association with Jesus—were probably Persian scholars or
astrologers who worshiped the light, and believed they were