We cannot travel two roads at once.  When the Holy Family goes out from the temple it can go, if it will, to the palace of Herod, or it can go back to Bethlehem.  It cannot go both ways and we know the way that it took.  And we in our self-examination to-night can see two roads stretching out before us.  We can go the way of the world, the way that seeks (whether it finds or no) popularity and prominence, or we can join the Holy Family and in company with Jesus and Mary and Joseph go back to the quietness and hiddenness of the House of Bread where the saints dwell.  With them, sheltered by the Sacrifice of Jesus and the prayers of Mary and Joseph we can wait for the Redemption in the full manifestation of the life of God in us, and for the time when the love of God shall be fully “shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given us.”

     O Sion, ope thy temple-gates;
     See, Christ, the Priest and Victim, waits—­
        Let lifeless shadows flee: 
     No more to heaven shall vainly rise
     The ancient rites—­a sacrifice
        All pure and perfect, see.

     Behold, the Maiden knowing well
     The hidden Godhead that doth dwell
        In him her infant Son: 
     And with her Infant, see her bring
     The doves, the humble offering
        For Christ, the Holy One.

     Here, all who for his coming sighed
     Behold him, and are satisfied—­
        Their faith the prize hath won: 
     While Mary, in her breast conceals
     The holy joys her Lord reveals,
        And ponders them alone.

     Come, let us tune our hearts to sing
     The glory of our God and King,
        The blessed One and Three: 
     Be everlasting praise and love
     To him who reigns in heaven above,
        Through all eternity.

PART TWO

CHAPTER X

EGYPT

The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.

S. Matt.  II, 13.

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils past, present, and to come:  and at the intercession for us of Blessed Mary who brought forth God and our Lord, Jesus Christ; and of the holy apostles Peter, and Paul, and Andrew; and of blessed Ambrose Thy confessor, and bishop, together with all Thy saints, favorably give peace in our days, that, assisted by the help of Thy mercy, we may ever be both delivered from sin, and safe from all turmoil.  Fulfil this, by Him, with Whom Thou livest blessed, and reignest God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.

AMBROSIAN.