Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-19

INTRODUCT1ON.-1 internatlon1!
committee has turned our study from the
kings Of Israel to the advent OF the kim
eternal Il Tim, i:lD. This has been done
with reference to the great church festi-
val The book from which we study bears
its authors name AS the companion OF
Paul Col, iv:l4J, We had full knowledge
of the early years Of Christianity Zen.
i:3>. and he was in hearty sympathy Win
the missionary spirit which carried the
gospel westward to Rome. Master OF
Greek learning, he employs his scholar
ship to give finish to his writings. Luke
begins his sketch of Jesus by recording
what the other evangelists omit-the an
nunciation to Zacharias, to Elizabeth and
to Mary: the latter's visit to Elizabeth
and her inspired song; the birth and in
fancy of John the Baptist He explains
also how Jesus came to be born IN Beth
lehem. as the prophet declared He would
be Micah. v:2). The decree OF Caesar
had compelled Joseph, the foster father
accompanied by the prospective mother,
to go thither to be enrolled and taxed.
The passage for the day relates events
following the birth.
:. SHEPHERDS.-To whom shall 1t be
first announced that Christ has come
he is jealous Of power. and will seek 20
destroy the babe Matt. ti:16). snail u
be to the priests and scrfbes? No. they
are naughty and bigoted, esteeming their
prerogatives more than the cause OF
Righteousness. prosecuting any who turn
the people from them Matt, xxvi:4O. Be-
sides. they interpret the prophecies con-
corning the Messiah as descriptive or a
temporal prince, and they will not receive
as such one of owly birth. The dignita-
ries in church and state will one day
unite to put the son Of Mary to death
luke. xxii:52. Just outside the city are
fiocks feeding on those same pasture
lands which were used centuries ago.
Humble men are there watching the
sheep. possibly the descendants of those
who were the servants Of Jesse when
Samuel came to anoint the new king u
Sam, xvi:1D. These shepherds shall be
the first to know Of the advent. They
have not been corrupted by the scenes
and customs of the court. and they are
best prepared to hear the message psalm
xXxiv:2).
ANGEL.-Who shall tell the story
to the shepherds? Shall it be the porter
John. x:3), who keeps the gate, who ad-
mitted the travellers from Galtlee! he can
not leave his post of duty and it is doubt
ed if he knows anything OF the manger
and it's precious occupant. Shall Joseph
go? It is probable that the young mother
needs his company Matt. ii:1D. Shall
some one from the village be sent! Inc
inhabitants are asleep and know not the
dignity Of the little stranger. An angeI
shall be employed. He knows what no
mortal then understood. for his home Is
the eternal habitation whence Jesus came
(John. xvii:59. where, through countless
ages. the inexpressible glory had been dis
played. On other errands angels had
come to mortals Gen., xKi:1O. Suddenly
descending from the skies. the celestial
visitor stood among the shepherds. The
effuigence from the world above attended
him and lighted up all the plain, shedding
an unearthly splendor over the face OF
nature. A similar visitation was granted
to Paul Of Tarsus on his way to Damascus
(Acts, ix:3
TIDINGS-What will the angel say
to the shepherds? Fear not" were his
first words. The supernatural exhibition
had overpowered them. Their vision must
have been disturbed by the sight (Acts.,
ks. Strong men though they were. ac-
customed to danger. they trembled with
alarm. Besides, it had been long under
stood that any one who saw a celestial
being must die Uud., xiii:22). The angel
therefore assured his hearers that no
harm was intended. Instead he brought
them good t;dings. "A Savior is born unto
you this day. he said. fulfilling the prom
Use made to Joseph (Matt., i:2D. declaring
the nature and mission of the child.
human because born. divine because a
Savior. The angel went on to associate
the child with Israers hopes. locating him
in the city of David, calling him the