"Thou wast born of woman; them didst come, O, Holiest! to this world of sin and gloom, Not in thy dread omnipotent array; And not by thunder strewed Was thy tempestuous road,-- Nor indignation burned before thee on thy way; But thou, a soft and naked child, Thy mother undefiled, In the rude manger laid to rest, From off her virgin breast." Then, for the first time, the mother resumed her place. When the wise men came into the house they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. The old Eastern custom, which placed the child before the mother, was now understood. God guarded against making Mary first, and at the same time provided for her a place. When God appeared to Joseph in a dream, he did not say, Take the mother and child, but the "young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt." This brings us naturally to consider-- 3. _The influences set in motion by the life of Christ upon the earth_. First, let us review the history of Christ's personal relations to Mary. Up to twelve years of age, his home was in Nazareth; and Luke declares (second chapter, fortieth verse), "The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him. And when he was twelve years old, his parents went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. For three days he was away from them. When they found him he was in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." It is noticeable that Luke mentions Joseph before he mentions the mother; and when Mary speaks, she ignores the miraculous conception, and calls him the son of Joseph. But Jesus _does not forget_ his origin, nor does he recognize Joseph as father, but says, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."--Luke ii. 42.