The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-12-20
SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR DECEMBER 23.

l. when Jesus was born" The date
OF the birth of Christ is uncertain, but the
generally accepted date is December 25
j. G., 8. He was born four years before
the time from which we count His birth
IN our common reckoning. "In Bethle.
hem OF Judea." To distinguish it from
Bethlehem in Galilee, mentioned i'm
Joshua 1918. "ln the days of Herod"
Herod the Great. He was an Edomite,
and, although proselyte to the Jewish
religion, was notorious for his wickcdness
and cruelty. He reigned thirty-seven years
m Judea, and died few months after the
birth of Christ "Wise men" Or mari.
Much learned and interesting discussion
has arisen with respect to the wise men"
and the Star" Augustine and Chrysos.
tom say there were twelve magi, but the
common belief is that there were but
three. From the East" Perhaps from
Media or Persia, or, possibly, from Arabia.
2. king of the Jews" There was at
this time general expectation through
out the East that on. would be born in
Judea who should possess universal do
minion. This was a title unknown to the
earlier history Of Israel and applied to no
one except the Messiah. 1t rcappears in
the inscription over the cross. His star"
Many interpreters, especially those who
seek TO eliminate the supernatural, explain
the star, or "sidereal appearance. by
q conjunction Of Jupiter and Saturn, which
occurred in May b. G. T. and again in De-
cember with Mars added. 1t is, however,
much more in harmony with all the facts
to believe that the star which attracted
the attention of the magi was supernat.
ural. I'm the East In the country east
of Palestine, from whence they came. "To
worship Him. God had influenced these
wise men to take this journey TO find and
pay their homage to the Saviour.
9. Had heard these things The
magi had created no small stir by their
inquiries, which Immediately attracted the
attention of the king. WAS troubled"
Herod, now sunk into the jealous decrep-
itudc o. his savage old age, was residing in
his new palace ON Zion, when, half mad
dened as he was already by the crimes of
his past career, he was thrown into a
fresh paroXysm of alarm and anxiety by
the visit of these magi, bearing the strange
intelligence that they had come 20 wor.
ship a newborn king. Herod feared
rival. "All Jerusalem with him." Fear.
ing that he would make this an occasion
of renewing his acts of bloodshed.
4. "The chief priests" This express
sion probably comprehends the acting
high priest and his deputy. 'Scribes."
The scrihes were the learned Interpreters
of the Mosaic law, and the collectors of
the traditions of the elders. Many of
them were Pharisees. Demanded of
them Because they would be most like
ly to know. Where the Christ should be
born" (R. W The wise men had said moth.
ing about the Christ or the Messiah,
but only about the King of the Jews. But
Herod saw that this king must be the ex-
pected Messiah
8. by the prophet" Micah 81 2. Mat
thew does not quote the exact words
found in Micah, but the sense is given.
They did not need to take long time to
search out the answer to Herod's ques-
tion, for it was an accepted truth that the
Messiah must come from Bethlehem.
9. Thou Bethlehem" Bethlehem sig
mites the house of bread, the iittest place
for Him to be born in whom is the true
bread which came down from heaven.
Art in no wise least" (R. W Micah
says, Though .ou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall
He come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel" ",rhe princes" THE
thousands" Micah 5: =. The tribe had
been subdivided into thousands, and over
each subdivision there was chieftain or
prince. "A governor" To control and
rule. (Which shall be shepherd" Or. W
To feed and care for, as shepherd his
flock.
7. "Privily called the wise men" lie
desired to keep the time of his birth as
secret as possible lest the Jews, who hated
him. should take occasion to rebel.
short time before this 5000 Pharisees had
refused to take the oath of allegiance to
him Inquired of them diligently"
Learned of them carefully. Or. W
a l., ,a1 gnI.
aol, but they followed the directions of
the Lord. ''Search diligently" Herod
was honest in making this charge to them;
he greatly desired to receive definite word
concerning the new King. And worship
Him also" What hypocrisy! He only
wished to find out the Child in order to
murder 1t Tvs. l3, l6); he was crafty and
subtle, saying one thing and meaning an
other. But God did not permit b!m to
carry out his purpose. The wise men,
warned of God in dream, returned an
other way, and Joseph, warned in the
same manner, took the young Child and
Its mother and lied to Egypt.
o. The star-went before them" The
same star which they had seen in their
own country now again appears. The star
had disappeared for time, and this led
them to inquire in Jerusalem for the
young hlllb Milpiu litg SphEhNs ANNNiN'i
dinary helps are not to be expected where
ordinary means are to be had, but now
they had traced the matter as far as they
could, and were at loss what to do But
they believed God, and He who had led
them thus far still continued to direct
their steps. "Stood over" This should
settle the matter that the star was super
natural. We will honor God by believing
His word. The star pointed out the very
house.
10. "They rejoiced" The Greek is very
emphatic. They rejoiced exceedingly, be-
cause they saw they were about to find
the child, and because they had such un-
mistalsable proof of being in divine order.
IL. "Into the house" They had left
the stable that they were forced to tempo
rarily occupy at the time of Christ's birth
Quke 9: y, and were living in a house.
'Fel down" They prostrated themselves
before Him according to the Eastern GUS
tom. "Gifts" The people of the East did
not approach into the presence of kings
without bringing them presents. The Gus
tom still prevails in many places. Gold"
etc. Gold would always be useful, while
frankincense and myrrh were priced for
their delicious fragrance.
Horse Is Stage Struck.
A hansome usually stands at the
corner OF Broadway and 29th street.
xUoit for ha orooe