The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-12-21
The Birth or Christ.

The lesson for Sunday, Dec. q. may
be found in Luke ii. e-20.
INTRODUCTORY.
We close with this the less ons OF 1892.
Next year the International Series comes
back again into the Old Testament and,
this time, to the period OF the minor
prophets, beginning with Ezra i. I'LL
Returning from Captivity. We give be-
low few notes on the lesson
LESSON NOTES.
Christ is the tue Christmas gift.
Tell of Christ to others; that is good
Chri; tmas giving.
Or do as the shepherds did-make it
known abroad. Go with the good news
or give money to send others.
1t is to humble shepherds that angels
must resign the work they would long
themselves to perform. God calls his
chosen messengers from the lowliest.
But they were faithful in their sphere;
given you a humble charge? Keep it
we'll. To such God says, for higher
employ: Thou hast been faithful over
few things, 1 W II make thee ruler over
many things" AS DR.. Gordon has said,
We'll done" presupposes well-doing
But if God gives you something bet
ter to DO, arise and do it, He will look
after the work you leave behind. Those
sheep on the Bethlehem hills ide had
angel wardens in the shepherds alb
sence. God will take care of the boats
and nets; he has some one else for
them. Leave all, and follow Jesus.
Take it personally: INTO you is
born, this day, in the city of David, a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
This day. Happy, happy Christmas
morn, IL it bring 10 you Saviour. But,
perhaps, you already know him; then
know him better. have larger faith in
him. ITO you who believe he is pre-
clous." Let it lie new Christ to whom
whom you look up this day and say,
Saviour Master"
May the CHI rch of Jesus Christ le-
hold anew the Son of God, and write its
heavenly name clearer, stronger. A
larger Christ is the need of the age.
George Heron is right about it, Every
true conversion is only the beginning OF
the souls discovery OF the Saviour. A
new apprehension Of Jesus Of Nazareth
on the part Of the church is what our
poor, blind and halt old world is wait
ing for at this Christmas-tide. o, Lord,
oil en- the eyes of thy servants that they
may see wondrous things!
And after the vision, what then?
Mary kept all these things. and pom
dered them in her heart Too many OF
us look and listen, and then forget; too
few keep and ponder. But see the
shepherds. They returned, "glorifying
and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen, as it was told
thom." That is they lived up to their
lights. So great with many Of us is
the difference and distance between the
light we have seen and the life we live.
Great light. little enthusiasm; pure
light, crooked walk; searching light,
half-hearted conservation. What is
the matter with the Christians to-day
that with so many Of them there
is slack joy, light fruit?" This
brother pastor, full Of faith and
good works, answers for us: TOO
many get no farther than the first
glimpse OF Jesus. Failing TO act upon
the whole truth given them, content
simply to be healed of past sins, they
go their way half devoted, only half
given to the Master. Constantly, as
new occasions for conservation of gift
and talent arise unimprCved, they keep
falling behind, falling behind until,
presently, there really seems to be more
voted to Christ. Is it a happy life to
lead? Nay, it is wretched. Come,
then, back to the place We started.
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to
pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us.