The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1890-01-23
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LEssoy FOR SUNDAY JANUARY. 40
Joy over the Child Jesus" Luke 2. g.
2o-Golden Text, Luke al
Comments.

2. "And there wns in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flocks by night" God, who doeth
according to His will in the army OF Heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth, had,
through the decree of the Roman Emperor,
caused Joseph and Mary 10 come to Bethle-
hem. 1t was trying 60 the flesh 10 take such
n journey at such time, but IL was all OF
God. Movements Of Empires are overruled
to fulfill His word, and all things are ordered
for the good OF those who love Him. Mnry's
home was in Nazareth about seventy miles
north Of Jerusalem God had said by His
servant Micah that Isrners ruler should be
horn in Bethlehem (somc six miles south of
Jerusaleml, and now that the time had come,
the Roman Emperor is unconsciously made
Gods instrument to fulfil His word Fred
erick Whitfield says: $50 Gods hand moves
silently and surely. The Roman Emperor cx.
ercised his almost boundless sway over the
whole world and issued his decress with SOW
ereign authority. A rushing tide went forth
each to his place to obey his commands. No
thought disturbs the mighty throng from on
high. And yet in the obscure village OF Bcthlc-
hem, at the back Of an inn, and lying in n man
ger, there liesa helpless babe, the son ofan hum
ble carpenters WIFE aud in His helpleSsneSs-
lies embodied that which is 10 turn the tide Of
all things in this world and in that which ia
10 come. and before which the mighticst
into insignificance. These shepherds watch
ing their nocks in the night watches remind
us Of other shepherds Ia whom God came as
they watched their hocks. such rs Moses
David and Amos They also remind us of
many other shepherds watching over the
souls under their care in this night of tho
worlds history, and daily expecting a call
from the skies TO summon them 10 the mar
riage Of Him who was once the bnbc in
Bethlehem.
o. And mn angel Of the Lord stood 10y
them, and the glory of the Lord shOnC round
about them, and they were sore afraid az,
W. Even though these shepherds were,
like Simeon and Anna, waiting for the con-
ISOLATION of Israeli and looking for rcdcmp-
tion in Jerusalem this unusual sight and
strange visitor was enough to make them
afraid. Put yourself IN their place. Fancy
heavenly visitor suddenly appearing to
you and something of heavens glory shining
about you. Would you be perfectly quiet III
such a presence, or is there possibility that
you might I've somewhat afraid We need 20
remember that now, as then, angels are min
isteriug spirits sent forth 10 do service Tor
the seke OF them that shall inherit salvation
Heb. J., IA, r. w, and although invisible
they ARE ever with us, serving unseen aud
unthanked.
10. Fear not; for, behold bring YOU good
tidings OF great JOY, which shall bc 60 all peo-
ple.' This is the third fear not which we
hear from angels to mortals in this Gospel
and what good tidlngs there are in just those
two words Fear aud forebodings are tho
constant companions of 50 many Christians
instead of the peace and joy which should
characterize those who have become children
Of God by faith in jesus Christ, and who, II
they believed God, would be sure that He who
spared not His own Son would with Him
freely give all things. and make NIL things
work for good ORom. viii, y, -; Ps. lNNNiv.,
IL; Jer xxx, H..
/ IL. Unto you Is born this day, in the city
Of David, "A saviour, who is Christ the
Lord.n Truly has one said that, Though
Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem he
| born, If He's not born In thee, thy soul Is
still forlorn.n This day IS also the time
when He will enter thy soul If you have not
yet let Him in, and are willing now.
12 'Ye shall find the Babe wrapped IN
swaddling clothes lying in n manger." How
great the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that
| lei Him 20 become 50 poor for us that We
| through His poverty might be rich lll Cor
viii, ~ His cradle a manger, His home ON,
| OF the poorest IN Nazareth: IN His ministry
| lie uses II borrowed boat rides ona borrowed
ass keeps the passover IN a borrowed room
when He dies He sleeps in II borrowed tomb
He is Lord OF all and vet lives here rs having
nothing of this worlds possessions. Wh"i
shall we learn that this worlds goods nr,
| only OF value a. we can us" them for HIu
| and that ANYTHING should satisfy rs her,
-
dom;
10. "And suddenly there was with the nm
| gel n multitude of the heavenly host pralsiu-
| God Jacob ON his way home from Lahal
is met 10y the angels Of God, and lac SAID
! "This is Gods host - When Joshua is alou
10 take Jericho he is met hy one who says
'As captain OF the host Of the Lord am
now come When Elsha's servant wa
afraid because OF the Syrian army, Elish
prayed and the Lord opened the young man
eyes, and he saw the mountain full ot horse
and chariots of fire round about Elsh,
! Gen. xxi, l. >: Jos. v, Il: II III. Vi, ~
Thus the heavenly hosts delight to do God
will, praising Him in song and in service, II
they minister unto His servants.
IA. "Glory "a God in the highest, aud oi
earth peace among men IN whom lie is wei
pleased (R. ". The aim OF all angelo
service is to bring Glory 10 God--thc COM
mand TO us IS. "Glorfy God in your body
10. Let us now go even unto Brthlcheu
and see this thing which is como % pass
which the Lord hath made known unto US
| The shepherds had heard and seen that whic
they could never forget; their ears mus
have been somewhat duled 90 earth's music
and their eyes dimmcd TO earth's glories after
these sounds and sights. SO il must have
been with Paul after ho was caught up into
PARADISE Oh, for such sight 10y faith OF
! Jesus and His glory as would forever wean u,
from all the sinful sights and sounds of thr
| present EVIL world
10. "They came with haste, and found
Mary, and Joseph, and the babe, lying in Il
manger." They found the angels message
true, found the Saviour Of Israel and of the
world helpless babe lying in IA manger
and as they looked they believed that thi,
was indeed He OF whom the prophets had
| spoken, the Son of David, Son of Abraham
IL "When they had seen they made
known abroad the saying which was told
them concerning this child" JOY filed their
own hearts, aud joyfuy they spread the
tidings, and tell simply what they have seen
and heard
IL. "And all they that heard it wondered
| Mt those things which were told thcm by the
Shepherds IL that was all the effect the
tidings hal upon them, they might wonder
20 all eternity and be none the better for il;
II is not wonder, but faith, that brings the
blessing.
10. "But Mary kept all these tding, and
pondered them in her heart Like Daniel,
| who though he could not understand yet
kept the matter in his heart Dan. vii, 2sD.
20. 'fhe shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things that they
had heard and seen, as il was told unto them
You could not shut them mp any more than
you could stop volcano. IL was in them.
and like jeremiah they could not keep still
about 10 (Jer. Xxx, 81. They had caught the
spirit OF the angels and praise God they must
and their testimony was all about Jesus. Let
| n ordinary uncaiiona tba Lon