Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-01-20
Lesson 4
The Birth of Jesus.
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date of our last lesson, and Mary has
remained in her quiet home at Nazareth.
Then the Emperor's decree, which com.
manded an enrolment of the people,
obliged her to go to Bethlehem, the
residence of her family, which was
about ninety miles from Nazareth, to
be enrolled for the tax which was to be
laid on the people. This circumstance
establishes the fact that Joseph and
Mary We're not very poor people, but
that they had at least comfortable
estate, on which they paid taxes. The
journey occurred Mt the last of Decem.
ber, and was made by easy stages, as
WAS necessary TO Mary's delicate condi
ton.
On their arrival at bethlehem they
found the village inn, or caravansary,
was filled with guests, and that they
could not be accommodated there. This
was probably owing to the fact that the
Emperor's decree had summoned many
people to journey to the place of legal
enrolment, and it was very natural that
there ahould be scanty accommodations
in a small khan or hostelry. 1t was not
uncommon in Palestine to use the lime.
stone caves, with which the country
abounded, for the housing of the cattle,
and frequently the inn was connected
with these dry caverns which could be
used in strait for the entertainment
of travellers. Thus Joseph and Mary
found their quarters among the cattle,
and here our Lord was born and era.
died.
The most ancient traditions locate
the place of our Lords birth in n cave,
and a stately church aud convent now
mark the spot assigned by the old le-
gends as the scene of that most stupen.
dous of all earthly events.
At this time, about mile from Beth.
lehem, a company of shepherds were
watching their hocks, as is said, on the
spot where, in a grove of olive trees.
now stands chapel known az the
Angel to the Shepherds, and said to BE-
the identical spot where the shepherds
encamped. The Jews say that the
sheep intended for the temple sacrifices
were paAured in the fields OF Bethle
hem.
While the shepherds were engaged
in their ordinary occupation, they were
surprised by vision of a very remark.
able and glorious nature, which over
whelmed them with surprise not un.
mingled with fear. An angelic messen.
ger appeared to them and made grand
communication. THIS was no less than
the birth of Christ the Lord, which was
announced as being good tidings Of
great JOY which shall be to all people,
They we're told that they should find
the facts proven at bethlehem by the
sight of the newborn babe, dressed
and cradled in n manger. The good
tidings we're confirmed by the appear.
ance OF n heavenly chorus, who were
visible TO the shepherds. aud who sang
the grand Doxology, Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men," Some of the Alex.
andrian and Latin versions of the
angels song render the last phrase,
"Ou earth peace to men OF good will,
which does not change the sense, as it
ia generally interpreted to mean, God
good will as shown to men,
The shepherds at once determined to
90 to Bethlehem, and verify this won.
drous story, which they did, and were
filled with amazement by what they saw
and heard there.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
|. Christ is the great central fact in
the worlds history.
To him everything looks forward or
backward. All the lines Of history con.
verge upon him. All the march of
Providence is guided by Him. All the
great purposes OF God culminate in
him. The greatest and most moment.
Gus fact which history records is the
fact Of his birth.
2. This. fact is Of far greater conse.
quence than that we should keep any
particular day in its commemoration.
1t Is quite impossible to prove that
Jesus was born on the 9th of Decem
ber, yet there is great propriety in
observing our Christmas Festival The
fact that he wdS born, is all that we need
and it is such stupendous aud glorious
fact, and Of such everlasting interest
for man, that it Is but a morbid and
bigoted spirit which refuses to join in
its celebration. We are not afraid of
too much Christ worship
3. The humblest souls are sometimes
chosen to receive the most august reye.
lations from heaven.
II is so all through the Sacred Histo
~, and not more so than Mt the birth
of Christ. That grand event was not
announced to mighty princes, or great
scholars, or profound philosophers, re.
nowned conquerors, but to handful Of
Jewish shepherds, keeping watch
over their nocks by night"
John Bunyan, captive in the jail at
Bedford, had a vision of the pilgrims
progress TO the Celestial City, second
only in its power for good to the revela.
ton made to those simple shepherds at
Bethlehem.
Lowly walks in life, trodden by faith.
ful men, may be lighted with heavenly
glories.
That is the best, way which leads di.
rectly 10 Christ.
4. The scheme of Redemption, while
it brings the highest glory TO God, also
secures peace aud good will to men.
Sin aims deadly blow alike at Gods
glory and mans good. Redemption4e.