‘

38 ree CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE

So she, who called herself the handmaid of the Lord to the angel that appeared tovher,
and whom all generations of men ever since have called “ Blessed ” because she was chosen
to be the mother of the God-man Christ Jesus, loved to go with Joseph to keep the
Feast. - '

But this year a new joy fills her heart as she sets out. Until now she had been. .
obliged to leave her loved son at home when she went. He could not go with her because
He was too young. Men were commanded to go up to the Feast, women might go
up if they wished to do so, but no children were allowed to go up. But this year Jesus is
with her. For the first time in His life, He too is allowed to keep the Feast.

All the Jewish boys when they were thirteen years old passed from the.care of the
women, who had taught them till then,
into the charge of men teachers. They

went. through a-religious rite, which was
something. like Confirmation with us
Christians. They were called Sons of
the Law, and were allowed to go up
with the men to keep the three great
Feasts at Jerusalem.

And Jesus, Who when we last saw
Him was a little infant carried in His
mother’s arms into Egypt lest Herod
should kill Him, is such a holy Child that
he has not been obliged to wait till He is
thirteen to be made a Son of the Law, but
although He is only twelve years, is taken:
up to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph.
How He must have looked forward to the
day when He would really be on His way
to the Holy City of which He has heard |
so much, and the beautiful Temple where
His mother used to tell Him-she had
carried Him when He was only forty days
old to present Him to the Lord.

And now, the time is comé when
they are to set out from Nazareth. It is
along journey and adangerous one. Many
nights must be spent on the way far from
any town or village. They dare not travel
alone, for fear of the robbers who used to
waylay the pilgrims. So they set out with
a little company of relations and friends,
who live in the same village, travelling
together for the sake of protection, and

‘ as they journey with their faces set
towards Jerusalem, they sing the Songs of Degrees or Steps, as Psalms cxxi. to cxxvi. are
called, which were-used by pilgrims on their way to the Holy City. Cannot we hear them
chanting as they go, “I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the House of
the Lord,” or at night-time as they pitch their tents, and see in the bright moonlight the
distant mountains which surround Jerusalem, they sing, “1 will lift up mine eyes unto the
Hills from whence cometh my help ;” and they lie down to sleep, trusting in the care of the
Keeper of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps. .

At last their journey draws to an end. As.they climb the Hill of Olives and reach
the top, lo, they see before them the gold-covered pinnacles of the Temple glittering in the