The Marshall republican., 1909-12-24
THE BIRTHOF
CHRIST
Sunday School Lesson fer Dee. z6, 1909
Specially Arranged for This Paper

pie lTOTn tneir Sins. MATT. III.
TIME.-December II. G. s.
PLACE-Bethlehem of Judea sr7afr
own five or six miles south OF JerusaIeea-
Suggestions and Practical Thought
A Journey Across tho Centuries
Nth the Wise Men of the East.-AiI
through the Bible we read of angels
visiting this earth on messages OF
mercy. We are taught In Hebrews
hat they are "all minIstering spirits
ent forth to do service for the sake
Df them that shall inherit salvatioin.-
requires no great strain on the slo-
9'nstion 10 conceive OF the three wise
on coming to earth to sec together
tth us what the King they had sought
~ found had been doing all these
enturies since that wonderful VISIT.
|. We Visit Bethlehem. m.-Describe
Q situation, and note what had taken
ace here, especially as city Of
v!d. How Mary and Joseph came
be there when Jesus was born
he mane2r in the inn. The angels
rnouncinE his birth to the shepherds
epeat the song Of the angels, aud
Interpretation In John 3:13.
The Con ing OF the Wise Mon.-we
sc them In the far east gazing at q
'ew star In the heavens. Perhaps they
III tell US why they followed the star.
It such great cost of time and treas
ire and comfort, over dreary wastes.
mid hunger, and thirst, and cold,
nd toll. I'm perils Of rivers, peri!s OF
Ederness, perils OF robbers" Ike
the queen Of Sheba who came from
he uttermost parts OF the earth to
hear the wisdom OF Solomon; ana
pehold a greater than Solomon In
lere:" like the merchant who sold all
That he had to obtain the poari c1
great price.
What Motives Led Them to Uu-
lertake the Journey?-We are in
formed by Tacitus, by Suetonius, and
by Josephus, whose works these Utze
men doubtless could have read, that
here prevailed throughout tho en-
tire east at that time, an intense con-
viction. derived from ancient rrophe-
cies. that ere long powerful mon
arch would arise In Judea and gain
dominion over the world. Vergil. who
lived little before this, owns (fourth
EcIcgue) that child from heaven was
'ooked for, who should restore the
golden age, and take away sin.
They could have learned more def
nitely about this hope from the Jews.
who were scattered everywhere with
heir Scriptures ard their hopes, since
the Babylonian captivity.
They NEEDED the forgiveness OF sins=
and the assurance from God as to the,
conditions on which they could be cor-
given.
They found the King, not IN Her
DDS palace as they expected. but fU
a manger in common village inn, of
royal descent from the Father in
heaven and the royal line of David Oh
earth. and in those circumstances
through which he could best realize
his Kingdom In the hearts o. Elen-
They expressed theiF-allesiancs and
worship by gifts. falling down. wor.-
Shipping, and Offering. The first. the
worship OF the body; the second, OF
the soul; the third, of their goods.
With these three, our bodies, our
souls, our goods, we are to worship,
him.
ii. With the Wise Men We Draw
Thirty Years Nearer, and Watch tho
King Doing His Kingly Work. DRAW
the facts from the class)
Curing sin. disease, sorrow, ana
death. Name instancesD
Teaching Gods heavenly truth.
Changing mems lives.
An example of the perfect life
Giving his life to save men.
Rising from the dead, the proof and
power of immortal life.
Everything King and Redemer-
Lhus manifested as seeking not his
own honor or wealth. but giving him
self to serve and bless and help the
people over whom he is king.
Ill. Let Us Watch the Glorifieof
King Organizing and Developing His
Kingdom. LAS recorded in the Acts.).
rhe review Of last Sunday will fur
,ish material for this picture, from
he day OF Pentecost and its gift Of
,ower, through the church at Jerusa-
EN-, the missions of the apostles ana
II Paul, to the gospel proclaimed ana
formed throughout the
Known world
Nv, With Our Wise Men Let Ua
dove Swiftly Down the Centuries. and
ilance at What the King Born at Beth
chem Has Been Doing to Change the
Singdoms OF This World Into ihs
Kingdom OF Heaven What the.
did while living on earth.
md aseer his ascension In founding
nd developing the early church amid
reat opposition OF Herods who wOula
estroy both the King and his works.
nd In conflicts with the world pOx,-
rs of evil under the Roman emperors.
las been continued with Increasing
ucces down through the centuries.
The best Christmas gift is to era-
er the service OF this King; to strive,
nth all our souls to bring an mcn
nder his benign sway; to labor ana
i've md for.