The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-12-15
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson xlL-Fourth Quarter, For
Dec. 10, 1915.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.


Text of the Lesson, Luke ii, $40.
Memory Verses, 13, 14-Golden Text,
Luke ii, 1o-commentary Prepared by
Rev. D. M. stearns.
The regular lesson in II Kings xvii
tells of the contamination of Israel's
sin under Hosea, their last king, until
the Lord removed them out Of His
sight. There was none left but the
tribe of Judah only xvii, 49,. Judah
also kept not the commandments of the
Lord. but sinned more and more, with
but few exceptions as TO their kings,
until they, too, were carried into cap
tivity xvii, 10; II Chron. xxxvi. 1919.
1t is refreshing to turn from such a
record to the story of the birth of their
long promised Messiah, of whom it was
fOretold that He would be born of a
virgin. in the town of Bethlehem, of
the line of David lisa. vii. II; tx. G. Z;
Mic. V, p. So it came to pass that
when the fullness of the time was
come God sent forth His Son, made of
a woman, made under the law, to re-
deem them that were under the law
gal. iv, 4. %.
God moved the world by n decree
from the ruler of the world, in order
that this blessed Virgin Mary should
come from Nazareth to Bethlehem; that
this wonderful babe should be born in
the place foretold by the prophet. And
so it came TO pass that while they
were at Bethlehem she brought forth
her firstborn son, and laid Him
in manger because there was no room
for them in the inn duke Ii, ID. The
only babe that was ever born whose
birth did not mean the beginning of his
existence, for Of this Child it was true
that His goings forth were from the
days of eternity Mic V, p. He had
walked in human form with Adam in
Eden, had eaten Abraham's food, talk
ed with Joshua, Gideon and Manoah.
Truly great is the mystery of goodness.
God was manifest in the flesh Il Tim.
fiji, 16).
We are not required to understand
it, but simply to believe it, as little
children who believe what they are
told. for these things are hidden from
the wise and prudent and revealed
unto babes. These shepherds were
like babes, for when told the wonder
full tidings they did not for a moment
question, but said, LET us now go
even unto Bethlehem and see this
thing which is come to pass, which the
Lord hath made known unto u.s.
Verse 15). They came with haste and
found it Just as the angel had said,
and then they made known abroad
That which they had seen and heard
(Ferses 16, 10. When the disciples
were sent to bring the ass colt for
Him to ride upon and to find the room
where they might prepare the last
| passover, it Is written of each event
that "they found as He had said unto
them" duke xix, 80; xii, 49,. AS to
making 1t known, we think of Peter
and John and hear them saying, I'VE
| cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard" (Acts iv, 20).
All shall come to pass as 1t is written
| In the book, and we shall find in this
world and in the ages to come just as
He has said.
If we were as simple minded believ-
ers as these shepherds we would be
ever clarifying and praising God for
all the things heard and seen, as told
us In His Word. Some would only
wonder, but some would, like Mary,
keep the words in their hearts and
ponder them oversees 1920. 1t is ours
to tell He will watch over His word,
and 1t will always accomplish His
pleasure Qsa. ", IL; Jer. /, 12). The
shepherds were quietly occupied with
their regular work, keeping watch over
their flocks, when the messenger from
heaven came to them with the wonder
full tidings. So it was with Moses and
Gideon, and Elisha and Amos and
Zacharias and Mary; all were going
about their ordinary work. The angel
came in the night The world was
still and unexpectant. When our Lord
shall come again it will be in such an
hour as we think not. There was a
glory with the angel which made the
shepherds sore afraid, but the first
word was the oft repeated Fear not"
how many do you know? How many
have you appropriated and laid to
heart? The good tidings of great joy
were not only for them, but for all
people. Can the tidings be really joy
full to those who profess to believe
them, but are doing nothing to help all
people to know?
Can people know Jesus Christ the
Lord as their own personal Saviour,
who forgives and saves them, and not
desire above all things to make known
this great salvation? 1t does seem i'm
possible. But how explain the indif-
ference of the vast multitude of pro
fessed believers? Are those who are
not interested In making known the
glad tidings real believers? God only
knows. Suddenly a multitude of an
gels join the first angel. and all unite
In proclaiming. "Glory to God i'm the
highest. and on earth peace. good will
toward men!'' Not peace. but glory
TO God. is the first thing. and there cat
be no peace until we are willing ia
glorify God by honOring His Son. he
must he seen by faith and accepted as
truly man of supernatural birth. truly
God manifest in the flesh. Saviour
the only Saviour: not one who helps
people to save themselves. but a Sa'
viour who saves the hopelessly lost
and saves wholly by His great saliva
ton. which he had Himself accom-
finished and bestows freely upon al