Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-19
Sunday School Lesson for December 20 Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
CHRISTMAS LESSON. Luke, u:S2.

Christ the Lord. the first the Greek equva-
lent of Messiah, king. the latter the same
as Jehovah, the cOvenant-making and the
covenant-keeping God Gen., iii:l5l.
Savior. Christ. Lord-this was the COM
plete message.
ANTHEM.-What is the Importance
or the event just announced? The shep-
herds might have known in part for the
synagogue schools had taught the Scrip
lures to all. The doctors might have ex-
pialned more fully had not a veil been
over their eyes I'll Cor. iii:1H. 1t Is de-
sirable that the shepherds. and that after
centuries, should know even more from
the beginning what the coming of Christ
signihed. Immediately there was with the
ange! multitude OF the heavenly host
tMait. xxvi:aS>. They filled the air and
their voices rang out full and clear in the
silence of the early morning GLORY 10
GOD In the highest was the first strain
OF their song. The mercy. the wisdom
and the righteousness of God were to be
unfolded by the advent. This was a con-
summation Of plan laid I'm the ages past
Gen. iii:15). ION earth peace" to men OF
good Will so the words should be trans
lated. Christ's coming meant irrepress-
lble conflict with the powers of darkness
(Matt. KIDD; 1t meant Joy and satisfac-
ton. He had a godward and a MAYNARD
miss on lisa, ii:D.
VISIT-How will the shepherds re-
celTe this wondrous message? Will ii fall
on their dull ears and hard hearts? VIII
they be Indifferent to the fulfillment OF
prophecy and the realization of national
hopes Gal. iI6l? Scarcely had the an
gels departed when they conferred con-
corning what they had heard and le-
solved to visit the newborn child Qsa.,
lx:6). fastening over the plain up the
.erraced hill, through the moonlit gar
dens.' they entered the town. Their search
was not long. Having been told that
Jesus would be found in manger. they
proceeded to the public inn, whore stran-
gers find accommodations. and were d.
n MIA yx-t,n rtxrh Ao cf1
kept, because there was no room else
where. The fancy of painters and poets
have reveled in the scenes as the shep-
herds entered and beheld Joseph. Mary
and the Child. But the inspired penman
with honest simplicity has, not attempted
to describe the interview.
WONDER.-What will the shepherds
do after their visit? VIII they retire in
surround ng and the humiliation will they
conclude that they had failed to find Him
OF whom the angels spoke. or that the
message was misunderstood? No: they
were men Of faith. Going forth INTO the
streets of Bethlehem they reported with
gladness the doing of the night III Cor.
iv:13). The birth of babe always
awakens woman's sympathy. and when 1t
was told that in the man~er lay an in
fant 1t is altorether probable that hos
pitality soon found more agreeable rest
ing place. But the story of the aneels.
retold as. it must have been. invested the
title one with far greater interest. AS
the tidings spread from lip to lip, from
home to home, the village was greatly
excited. the population wondering and
curious, asking and answering questions
1t may be that some doubted but the
greater part believed, and all felt that
noble event had occurred in their
midst
PONDERING.-Andw what Of the vir-
gin mother? She had passed through
strange experiences during the last nine
mighty Gabriel at her home in Nazareth
(ch. 1920. when she bowed In humble
submission: there was the interview in
the hill country of Judah. with the
mother Of John; there was the lapse OF
time in obscurity. followed by the journey
to the ancient home of her family. a
period full of expectation: there had been
the mothers Joy. All this was calcu-
lated to lead her mind a ong many lines
of sober reflection on the problems OF
life and its issues And now these plain
men of the field have come to report the
night vision and to worship. and the
people have taken up the story with
amazement. She finds herself thus sud-
denly the subject of public attention.
Highly favored among women (ch. i:2s }.
she seemed not fully to apprehend, hut
pondered In her heart the things that
were told to her.
PRAISING- published the
news in Bethlehem. what will the shep-
herds do? VIII the impression be short
lived? Were they excited? When they
have become calm. will they dismiss the
subject? No: they went forth more
strongly convinced than when they came
Finding all 1t had been promised. per-
haps Influenced by the appearance of the
Child and its mother, probably retaining
the spirit power upon their hearts. they
returned to their f1ocks. clarifying and
praising God. Their hearts We're full Of
the theme; they were not ashamed TO
utter their convictions. Thew were the
first human evangelists initiating the
angels in their spirits and words. They
evidently felt personal interest. 90" he
One who spoke TO them had said: Born
to you
CONCLUSION--If the birth of Jesus
was att tended with circumstances Of OK
terna humiliation. it was also marked
with dignity and majesty far surnass-
ing the pomp of kings and the splendpr
of palaces and retinues, suited to nSilr
contempt on all human grandeur. The
first gospel proclamation illustrated the
true method of making Christ known.
Begun by an angel. repeated In chorus.
received by shepherds. moving them to
action. retold in the city. awakening
wonder. rehearsed with rejoicingi Who
soever hears let him speak (Rev. xxii:li)
until the world is full of his spirit.