Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-10-07
CHooL
International Lesson Comments For
December FL.
Subject: Christmas and Its Teachings, Luke H.,
S.20-GoIden Text, Lake H., ll.-Memofy
Verses, 10, ll-Commeatary on the Days
Lesson.

s. "Same country" Nearby, probably
not mile from Bethlehem. Shepherds
The employment of tending sheep had been
honored in the earlier times of the Jewish
people. Jacob, Moses and David were
shepherds. But now it was a calling that
was looked upon by the Jews with con.
tempt. Why was the announcement made
to shepherds? (D The annunciation Of
His advent was not to be made to the
rulers of the people, or to the priests, for
these men were under the influence of
worldly and selfish ambitions and could
not discern spiritual things. The shep.
herds were humble men, waiting for the
consolation of Israel" and were in a
state of mind to accept the heavenly an
nouncement (2) God had seen fit to APP
pear to the weak instead of the mighty.
Read Cor. l: 1881; Pisa. 8: 2. (3) God
had always blessed the shepherds. He had
called Moses and David away from the
shepherds crook, and now the "Son of
David" the Chief Shepherd, who styled
Himself the Good Shepherd. who gave His
life for the sheep, is to be born in the city
of David, and it seemed fitting that the
shepherds should be honored with the
first announcement. ''In the field" They
which they dwelt Keeping watch-by
night" Or, keeping night watches" r.
Y. Mar. They watched by turns against
wild beasts and robbers. The fact that the
shepherds were in the fields affords no
ground for concluding that the nativity
could not have taken place in the winter.
The average temperature at Jerusalem for
five years was, in December, ffty-four de-
grees.
9. CANCEL" Divine messenger. Angels
have always taken lively interest in the
things of this world 1t was an angel that
appeared unto Zacharias announcing the
birth of John, and to Mary with a similar
mission regarding the birth of Christ. An
angel appeared to Jesus in the garden, and
to the disciples at the sepulcher and at the
ascension. Jesus on one occasion said lie
could call twelve legions of angels, and we
have the blessed assurance given that He
shall give His angels charge over thee, to
keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bare
thee up in their hands. lest thou dash
thy foot against a stone" Psa. 81: ii, IL.
"Came upon them" Stood over them.
"Glory of the Lord" That extreme splen-
dor in which the deity is represented as
appearing to men, and sometimes called
the Shechinah-an appearance frequently
attended, as in this case, by company OF
angels. It is likely that the angel ap-
peared in the air at some little distance
above them, and that from him the rays Of
the glory of the Lord shone round !. about out
appearance of so glorious being" There
is no proof here that the shepherds were
morally impure and afraid that divine JUS
tice was about to be meted out to them
Even holy men trembe when they come
in contact with the supernatural.
10. Good tidings." "The literal mean
ing Of gospel" am come to declare the
loving kindness of the Lord. My message
will cause great JOY 1t is message to
you (Jews) first, and it also. reaches to
'all the people 10 the whole na TO- human nan
IL. 'aIs born" lisa. 0: 8; John |: IA.
David's greater Son begins His earthly ca
reer in His ancestors home. Seven hun.
bred years before prophet had predicted
the Messah's birth at Bethlehem. Mic.
5: 2. This day." Unbelievers try to
make an argument against the wisdom OF
God because He waited so long before
bringing forth the Redeemer of mankind.
The reply is, /, Christ came in accordance
with long line of prophecy. This took
time. Prophets must be raised up, and
then hundreds of years must elapse in or.
der to fully verify their utterances. 2,
Christ came when the political factors OF
the world were most favorable. The whole
world was practically under Roman con-
troll, and this fact was the means OF bring
ing Christ and His followers Immediately
before the nations of earth. Notice the
nations represented at the time of the cru
cifxion and at Pentecost. 8, Christ did
not come until the world had done it's best
without Him and had made complete
moral failure. The wisdom and culture
of the world were very great, and yet,
morally, it was cropping in awful darkness.
Thus the coming of the Messiah became a
necessity if the world was to be saved
from moral collapse; And now, lin the
right time, the desire Of All Nations" ap.
pears. "A Saviour" ~ A deliverer.
l2) A restorer (3J A preserver, Matt /:
81. mot, shall be Saviour, but born
Saviour" Christ" The anointed One.
Christ is the Greek word corresponding to
the Hebrew word Messiah. In ancient
times prophets, priests and kings were
snointea with oil when set apart to their
sacred work. Christ was anointed for
these holy offices, which we may share
with Him by His amounting us with the
Holy Ghost. Christ is sufficiently qualified
to sustain these important offices. The
Lord" God, as well as man.
| II. "a sign" The very thing that
WOUlu nave CduScu euCih W uOoc' WIS
made the sign unto them.
l3. "a multitude" They descended to
honor the Prince of Peace. Heavenly
host" The army of angels which is rep
resented as surrounding the throne of God.
|. a. "Glory-in the highest" Christ is
the highest glory of God. "on Garth
peace" Peace to man; peace with GOD;
peace of conscience. Good will" Ged
has shown His good will by sending the
Messiah
Is. 'Iet us now CO." There is no time
to lose. Let us go now. This is the Ian
guage of obedience desiring to receive as
surance and strength by seeing for them.
selves this thing which is come to pass.
l6. "With haste" Filled and thrilled
with holy JOY they could not linger. And
found" 1t is probable that by communl-
eating their experiences to each other their
faith was greatly strengthened.
II. made known abroad" As soon as
they had seen the Child they began to tell
the glad news to every one they met.
Is. Wondered" The story of Jesus is
the most wonderful story to which human
ears ever listened, and it still causes those
who hear it to wonder.
10. bordering them" Weighing, or
carefully considering them. Every circu1n-
stance was treasured up in her memory.
20. 'Glorifylng and praising." These
simple men returned to the care of their
focks, giving glory to God for all they had