The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-20
JESUS OF NAZARETH AND
DAWN OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA
Dr. Kingsbury Writes of the Date of the MessaF1's
Birth and the FulfiIment of
the Prophecy.


does not matter what is their real condi-
ton, whether partially religious or almost
Pagans in life, when Christmas comes the
frolc begins 1t is time of congratula-
tion and good will, if not of sincere
worsip and gratitude to Almighty Father.
1t IS a period of feasting and giving of
presents OF wine and wassail, of dissipation
and drunkenness. 1t is only with few
as compared with the millions of earth,
who regard Christmas as genuine rellgl-
Gus day-a day of sanctities and hallowed
remembrance. The key note is fun and
frolic, rejoicing and glee, salutation and
saturated. It was not better observed a
hundred or two hundred years ago in
Great Britain or in Europe. 1t has been
for hundreds of years an occasion for
mummery and dissipation. for debauchery
and deVlltry rum mad. And yet to many
Christmas Is a day of satisfying and
gracious pleasure, as well as of hallowed
memories and renewed pledges to God and
humanity. 1t should be a time for the
most generous bestowment of favors to
Gods poor all about you. Remember the
destitute and the suffering, the lost and
the miserable. A cup of cold water when
given in the name of a disciple will harvest
reward The well-todo. the rich, in this
worlds goods should not forget to exer-
else the talent of giving, and with free
hand, to the penniless and the hungry.
Feed Gods own poor, and as you sit by
your cheerful, blazing fires. remember that
there are many homes all about you in
which warmth is lacking, because of cold
hearths and empty stomachs.
When the Saviour was born it was a
day of peace and good will to all mankind,
ho of ho cd 10
Son of God was the beginning of the great
and glorious, the blessed and merciful
work of human redemption, and the con-
summation of the great, most wonderful,
scheme of Salvation upon the Cross of
Calvary. Through the tender mercy Of
our God, whereby the days spring from
on high hath visited us, to give light to
them that sit in darkness and the shadow
of death, to guide our feet in the way Of
grace. Luke 1:7S.79 The coming of the
bessed Saviour was the greatest event in
the worlds history, and was heralded
under the striking image-'The day spring
from on high Remember that in nature
there is but one sun to shine. as in the
kingdom of grace there is but one Sun OF
Righteousness to shed his benignant beam
upon a ruined and lost world. The whole
race was sitting Gin darkness and the
shadow of DEATH" when ''the Day spring
from on high visited the world enveloped
in the gloom of death and in the darkness
of sin that could be felt. "And all were
to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Golilee,
out of the city of Nazareth. into Judea.
into the city of David. which is called
Bethlehem because he was of the house
and lineage of David to be taxed with
Mary, his espoused wife, being great with
child. And so it was. that while they
were there, the days were accomplished
that She Should be delivered ~ Luke 2:2-5
Christ was born in the time of taxation.
and in the village called Bethlehem. I
will consider the time mentioned further
on. 1t is called city in the New Testa-
ment, but the Jews called small places
cities Not understanding this the the text
quoted might be misleading Bethlehem
was a village, a small one at that In all
probability. And it was In this tiny place,
and not in great. city like Rome was
then-the Mistress of the World-or in a
famous city like Jerusalem was then-the
City of David who was its founder. Why
was this obscure little place chosen for the
birthplace of the adorable Saviour of the
world, the Son of God? "Was this to intl-
mate that his kingdom was not OF this
world? What cannot ennoble greatness,
greatness can ennoble.' The greatest of
ancient poets, Homer, the Asatic Greek
probably, was born, it is supposed, in
Symrna. but it is uncertain for seven
cities, we are told. contended for the
honor of giving him birth When in the
mangor of the little over-crowded inn it
was glorified by the birth of the infant
Jesus, then it became forever the most
famous of earthly places. and then there
was drawn to this village new star. and
we learn from the Scriptures of Inspira-
tion that the sages from the East, and
the angel of the Lord and multitude of
the heavenly host assembled, and ''have
made it to be remembered to all genera
tions," as has been said. The birth of
the Saviour had been foretold in prophecy.
Hear the prophet Micah saying: ''Then,
Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be lit
tie among the thousands of Judah, yet out
of thee, shall He come forth unto me that
is to be ruler in Israel, whose going forth
have been from of old. from everlasting"
1t was long known and fully expected by
the Jews that in this obscure village the !
blessed Saviour was to be born. When
Herod, the king heard of the anticipated
birth he was told: Hath not the Scrip
ture said that Christ cometh of the seed
of David, and out of the town OF Bethle-
hem, where David was?" Here it is called
town, in another place city and. as we
have seen again it is spoken of as little
among the thousands Of Judah" As has
been suggested. such an event in such q
place was of all things the most improb
able. And yet it was so fixed by God that
it did happen. and by the decree of the
Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, re-
curing that every one OF the House of
David should go to this little Bethlehem !
his matrimonial city," to be enrolled. So
Joseph being of the House and lineage o:
David. went up from Galilee, out of the
city of Nazareth in Judea unto Bethle- |
hem, the city of David. to be taxed, and |
took with him. under the circumstances
very remarkable, Mary. betrothed to him.
at that critical time "being great with |
child" very far advanced and almost
ready to be delivered" All went well. |
The Emperor was obeyed; Joseph and |
Mary fulfilled Gods decree; and every
thing worked together precisely for the
contamination of the event, for the posi-