The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-22
Sunday School
Lesson
for
December %.

| NTRoDUCIloN.-In the month OF Deeembcs
| the rural population OF ancient Italy celebrated
Il festival, called Saturnaa, whose origin was
ascribed to the gods. At first it was kind oi
| harvest home occasion, not unlike our Thanks"
| giving. Under the empcrors games were in
| troduccd. The festivities began about the
| 10th and continued a week. during which all
| business was suspended social distinctions Were
| forgotten, crowds of people pressed along the
| thoroughfarcs, presents We're exchanged, ieastng
| and revelry were in the houses, and all classes
made merry. In the second Christian century,
| the bishop OF Rome instituted movable feast
| in conmcmoration of the birth OF Christ. The
| eastern churches observed it in April and May.
| In the fourth century, after due consideration,
the festival OF the nativity was fixed the 25tl,
Of December. 1t has been thought by some
that this was done to displaee the heathon ob
| servances above mentioned. Whether designed
or not, it has that effect. For many centuries
| the rejoicing at this time OF the year has been
tempered by thoughts of the advent. The les
son OF the day covers incidents connected with
that event.
VlSITORS-Luke records the visit OF The slep-
herds on the morning alter the birth, and the
presentation in the temple at Jerusalem. Jo-
seph and Mary must have returned TO Bethlehem,
perhaps to complete the listing ordered by
Caesar Q.uke ii: y, while their other visitors
came from the east, probably from the ancient
home OF Abraham (Gcn. y: 25). They We're
called wise men, class OF who like the friends
OF job, devoted themselves to the study OF phil
osophy and religion. by many it is believed
that they had access to the prophetic writings
OF Israel, which, by the captivity had been en-
tensively distributed among the learned There
was = general expectation throughout the world
that an important parsonage was about TO ap-
pear. These wise men had seen a star (Numb
Nyiv; lO, which they had interpreted as an
omen of the birth OF u king They came,
therefore, TO Jerusalem, the capital of the ma
tion, supposing that tine infant Prince would be
among those in authority Their purpose was
praiseworthy. II was no idle curiosity, neither
spirit Of enmity that brought them. they desired
simply TO pay their homage lisa. tx: 81. In
this they may have been moved by the good
spirit of God.
ANXIETY.-The appearance OF these men in
Jerusalem, their statement OF what they had
seen before they LETT home, their q,lstion and
their declared purpose, caused no small comno.
tion. lle'od was greatly troubled. An Edom-
lite by descent, ploselyte to the Jewish leli-
gion, he had come to the throne by war aud
bloodsled. Ambitious and cruel. he feared
u rival, but probably knew something OF the
old-time predictions ol the Messiah. The
royal family especially the sons who succeeded
this monster. would share his anxiety They
would naturally communicate their thoughts 10
subordinates in the public service. and the feel
ing of insecurity would gradually peysde all
official circles. II is possible that the church
party and the people would be divided Pio,ss
souls there We're, waiting piayeriully for the
coming Of the Promised One John i: 45), and
many were weary OF Roman rule (Acts 1. o..
But, on the other hand, partly because OF honor
and emolument, many desired to retain the eX-
isting order, quite content to be under the rule
OF Caesar (John xix: I'D. The discussions re-
sultins from this diversity, OF opinion and inter-