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I. A VERY AFFECTING VIEW OF THE STATE OF MANKIND BEFORE CHRIST CAME. "Darkness and the shadow of death."

1. Ignorant of the moral character of God.

2. Ignorant of the purity of God's law.

3. Ignorant as to the evil nature and dreadful consequences of sin.

4. Ignorant as to the true source of happiness.

5. Ignorant regarding the future state.

II. A VERY INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF THE SAVIOUR. "The Dayspring."

1. The great source of light;

(1)  Natural;

(2)  intellectual;

(3)  rational;

(4)  spiritual.

2. The dayspring is gradual and progressive.

(1)  Revelation has waked fuller and fuller throughout the ages.

(2)  The increasing enlightenment of individuals.

3. The dayspring is certain and irresistible. The darkest moral clouds must eventually succumb to the bright beams shed by the Sun of Righteousness.

4. The day-spring is free, and common to all.

III. A VERY ENCOURAGING REPRESENTATION OF THE DESIGN OF CHRIST'S MISSION.

1. TO give light. He has shown Himself

(1)  in the dignity of His person;

(2)  in the perfection of His atonement;

(3)  in the fulness of His grace;

(4)  in the willingness to save which He has manifested;

(5)  in the discovery He has made of the means of cleansing from moral guilt.

2. To give peace.

(1)  Peace with God;

(2)  peace with our fellow-men;

(3)  peace with ourselves.Notice in conclusion:

1. The infinite condescension of Jehovah in inter. posing on our behalf.

2. The Christian's duty and privilege.

(1)  His duty is to trust in the Lord in time of darkness.

(2)  His privilege sometimes is to walk in the light of God's countenance.

3. The miserable state of those who hear the good news, and yet hold aloof.

4. If the pleasures of religion be so great upon earth, what must be the enjoyment of believers in the upper world?

(Dr. Scott.)

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KJV: Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

WEB: because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,