Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

30 ST. MATTHEW.
who really loves God, as soon as ever he knows his
will, will immediately perform it, without knowing
the particular reasons of it.
" 25. And knew her not till she had brought
forth her first-born son; and he called his name
Jesus.'*
Mary, always a virgin, is, in one sense, the mother
of Christ entire, as he consists both of head and
members—and Jesus is the " first-born among many
brethren." O happy moment of our blessed Sa-
viour's birth, be thou always present to our mind,
be thou always the delight of our heart ! That
which it had been our duty to have done at the foot
of the manger, let us do now by adoration, thanks-
giving, love, imitation, humility, &c. O grant us
a true respect for this holy name, an ardent love for
our Saviour, and a hearty zeal for our own salvation !
CHAPTER II.
Sect. I. Adoration of Christ by the Wise Men.
" 1. Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,"
The love of Jesus for a mean and private life,
appears from the first moment of his birth, in the
choice which he makes of Bethlehem. Those who
are nearest to Christ very often know him not;
when those who were farther off, seek, adore, and
serve him. How great was the faith of these wise
men, and how much elevated above human reason-
ings, and the opinions of the world !