The record-union., 1896-12-28
THE JOURNEY TOBETHLEHEM
Timely Thoughts Regarding the Birth Of
the Savior.
Christmas Sermon by Rev. Mr.
HOSkinSOn of the Sixteenth
Street Church.

At une S1XGeentn-SJreeI EilSliSll Iu-
theran Church yesterday the pastor
Rev. W. 5. Hoskinson, delivered a
thoughtful Christmas sermon HIS text
was taken from Luke H., 10: Let US
now go even unto Bethlehem and see
this thing which has come TO pass.
The entrance of Christ on the stage
of life, said the speaker, was made
humLly and silently. The citizens of
the little town of Bethlehem did not
even dream of what had happened
among them. Romes Emperor did
not know that his decree to make a
census of all the people had influenced
the birth of a King who would rule
not only over the Roman world, but
over many a land where Rome's eagle
never flew.
The work of mankind went rattling
forward next morning after the birth
lust in The usual ways, entirely un-
conscious Of what had happened, but
there were some to take notice OF the
event. Some waiting souls received
half-conscious shock which brought
them near to Him and the manger
where Christ lay. The first group are
here spoken of-the shepherds from the
fields around The angelic hosts un-
yelled their faces to make 1t clear TO
tie simple hearted but worthy shep-
herds what this event meant. The
angel directed them to- where they
would see the Savior, and they hast
ened to find Him. These were they OF
honest and good heart, who afterwards
hung ON the words of Christ and came
so near to His sympathizing heart. An
other class was the piouS and worship
ful, coming to him in the persons of
Anna and Simeon.
These were the faithful students of
the Scriptures, who at that time were
expecting the Messiah to come. They
were the aged saints and like the
shepherds We're near to the place where
Christ entered the world. Others
farther away were thrilled by mess
age of His coming. They were the
wise men of the East. These We're the
learned class of magicians, repositories
OF science, philosophers, the learning
of the day i'm the land beyond the
Luphrates. They were star students,
and anything unusual in the heavens
told them of some great event. The
new star appeared, and this led them
to believe that their expectations We're
to be realized. Then, too, a deeper
want was within them, and to this God
responded. Beginning in curiosity and
SPECULATION. God led them on into the
truth. a half-knOwledge, or supersti-
ton even, God used to lead men into
the perfect light of the world. All
these were willing to be led; all gath
cred around His cradle to worship the
holy child.
With the shepherds it was simple
wonder; with Simeon and Anna it was
piety and reverence: with the magi
4 was to lavish the gifts of the
Orient and the best wisdom of the
Gentle world on Christ. All were
worthy worshipers of the child Jesus.
All followed the star obediently to
where the young child lay. They all
came towards Bethlehem.
Another Christmas has gone into his
tory No more is it an event to be
looked forward to. No more can we
say the Christmas of 90 is coming
but that it has gone, and soon must
we say this of the dear old year that
is nov so rapidly slipping from US.
I wonder now how many of us were
shepherds, and Simeons, and Annas,
and wise men, and followed the star
of hope till it led us to Bethlehem?
] wonde~ how many Of us have gone
adored till the very spirit of the child
of Bethlehem's manger passed into US ?
For there is nothing palmer or truer
than that Christ must be born in every
one of us. That means that we be like
Him, and II we have gone to Bethle-
hem to adore and worship, WE have
come away bearing the likeness of
that child with us, else we miss the
meaning of Christmas and the journey
to Bethlehem. We want the spirit Of
the Christ-child in US. We get it by a
Journey to Bethlehem. And every year
as the Christmas comes round 1t should
find US more and more like little chill
dren. More childliye children OF Cod
is q hourly expression, but still it is
touching
1t behooves us 70 be at ;he beginning
of knowledge and all the wide eternity
before us in which We are to grow. and
grow In knowledge and holiness. in the
likeness OF Christ. But all along we
may have the very spirit of the Christ
of Bethlehem. The spirit Of the Lord
IS upon me because he hath anOinted
me to preach the gospel to the poor"
said Christ. He came unto his own.
but his own received him not. But as
many as received him. to them gave he
power to become the sons Of God. even
TO as many as believe in his name"
Take. then. Gods Christina gift to the
world. Have We received him? Then
the child heart will be ours; we shah
be born again and become like little
children 1t win be the beginning of a
life we shall never regret. The greatest
Christmas gift has been offered to you.
Have you received IL?
Christmas. then, Is a birthday-the
birthday of Christ and of all that are
Christ's 1T is all saints birthday" D."
In the coming of Christ was the real
birth Of every true Christian that ever
was born. This is a sweet. true lesson
of Bethlehem. And it is, too. 'fthe birth
day of every hero, Of every martyr for
truth. of every refOrmer Of wrongs, Of
every svmpathizer with earth's woes.
of every prophet of earth's possibilities =
For on this day was born in Bethlehem
ne who has been the impulse for truth,
the strength against wrong, the foun-
tain Of sympathy and the inspiration Of
1r,ophesv We call another day Inde-
pendence Day. and we celebrate the
birth of this Nation into civil and re-
ligious liberty We mistake the day,
for these principles were born with
Christ on Christmas Day Freedom
from oppression. from bondage, from
slavery. we celebrate them all at
Christmas time; and when nations once
learn the journey to Bethlehem. Cubans
Will have their independence and Ar
r,7enians will no longer writhe and