The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-12-10
A CHRISTMAS
LESSON
Sunday School Lesson fOr Dec. 20. 1908
Specially Arranged for This Paper

LESSON TENT-Luke 2.S-2Q. Memory
verses. 2-A
GOLDEN TEXT.-''For unto YOU Is
born this day In tho city OF David
Saviour, which 10 Christ the Lord
Luke All
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
Jesus was born in the stable OF an
inn, or khan. az bethlehem, six miles
south OF Jerusalem.
He was born probably about four
years before our Christian era. Decem.
ber b. c. 5, 1. e.. n on December 25.
only one week more than four years
but Il is sufficiently accurate and best
to count In accordance with the dates
used in all our histories and almanacs.
at the beginning OF the year A. D..
or 1905 years ago.
Motel. There was something sl
cially fitting In Bethlehem as his birth
place, because Il was the city OF David.
his royal ancestor.
2. This was In accordance with
prophecy (Mic. 5:2).
3. Note the Divine Providence In
thus guiding Joseph and Mary to Beth
lehem at this time by a decree beyond
their control. aud without human
planning
T. Jesus came to earth in the cir
cums,ances best atting him TO be tho
Saviour OF man. lie began his life
In a humble way and was brought up
In humble life and honest toll. that he
might be the friend OF all men. but
especially OF the poor and suffering
8. II he was born in December. as
Is probable. the time was symbolcal.
since the 25th OF December comes
when the longest night OF the year
gives way and the days begin TO
lengthen.
THIS Is the greatest gift ever given
TO this world.
From his glorious home he came to
this world, as the highest expression
OF Gods love. TO take upon himself
our human nature for the salvation OF
the world from sin TO holiness aud
heaven.
The divine nature Of Christ Is not a
mere theory. far away from human
life. but Is a fact essential TO one who
would reveal God 10 men. and be tho
Saviour OF men. lie speaks TO us from
personal knowledge Of God OF his love.
his care. his readiness to forgive. his
nearness 20 men. his iatherhood 10
tells us about heaven and immortal
life from his own experience. Only
the Son OF God could possibly make
atonement OF sin. Only be could have
power 10 save us az all times and In
all places. TO bo our eyer-present
friend. our perfect example. our in
falllble guide
Christmas Glving.-The natural re-
Spouse 10 this great gift from God. IL
for us to make gifts OF love to others.
Of help to those whom Jesus came to
help
Christmas giving is a right express
sion OF this spirit Often imperfect.
often too narrow. often such that the
thought dWells more on the receiving
than the giving; yet there Is no cele-
6ration OF any holiday that Is so APP
propriate as this OF giving. In the cello
bration OF the birth OF Jesus.
An can give. There Ia no one SO
poor. so unworthy. so feeble or lonely.
but there Is something he can give to
express Gods will TO men. deeds OF
kindness, expressions OF sympathy.
words OF love and cheer aud hope and
courage. Like the apostles. each must
act on Peters word. Such as I have
give l TO thee"
The Magniiicat OF Mary.-Luke 1:
i6-55. Ills mercy is on them that
fear him from generation to genera
ton"
The Benedictus OF ZachRrias. Luke
i:6S-7s. ITO give light TO them that
sit In darkness and in the shadow OF
death. to guide our feet into the way
Of peace"
The Gloria In Excelsls OF the Angeis.
Luke 2:l4. Glory 70 God In the
highest, and on earth peace. good viii
toward men"
Glory to God" Glory is the out
ward expression. the outshinlng OF
greatness and goodness. When God
showed his glory to Mosea on the
mount II was Gods goodness that
shone upon him.
For the coming OF Jesus was thi
highest expression OF Gods glory, tho
fullness Of his nature. his love. his
goodness, which passed before Moses
when he asked 10 see Gods glory.
The phrase expresses both the fact
and the desire that all should recog.
nize Gods glory. I'm the highest"
Cd in the hisheat strains. Only the
most exquisite music and song are
worthy TO express this theme. CD In
the highest heavens. The glory shines
and the praise sounds to the highest
heavens. IL is the noblest song and
the brightest glory even there. (3l
In the highest degree. The plan OF sal.
walton through Jesus Christ. so in
tlnitely wise, so Infinitely loving. man
ifests Gods glory more than all the
wonders OF creation, when all the
sons OF God shouted for Joy" For tho
souls OF the saved shall shine as the
brightness OF the armament"
The coming OF Jesus meant "peaoe
on earth" including all welfare. bless.
ing, love.
MIL