The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1916-12-27

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only identified himself with the
poorest. hut he also made common
cause with the beast. They too have
been benefited through Christ being
born--therc is less cruelty 10 ami
mails In christian than In other lands.
II the Importance OF the birth at
Bethlehem Is unrecognized by man
IL is realized by angels. Heavenly
hosts cannot be silent about IL. They
must begin by telling the glad It'd
ings. II We suppose the shades OF
night threw their mantle over Mary
when the babe was born. then IL
seems that the interested angels
would look for an immediate audi
encc TO hear the wonderous story.
Where shall an audience be found'
The inn Is full OF sleepers and rev.
elers: they are not tit to hear the
message OF peace and Joy. but out
side of Bethlehem In the fields are
hepherds--humble men, doubtless,
and despised of all ages. still they
are kind to the sheep--''saviours
in some sense OF the dumb animals
they tend and fced--and now In the
night watches they are awake and
watchful. Here then is the angels
audience.
! This might instruct us to be con-
tent with very humble and at times
very few hearers, for an audience
may be the most important though
few. and at times as has been on oc-
casions In the past. despised one.
But let US notice the message OF
the angels. Coming with the dax-
zlIng light encircling him. he at first
scared the poor shepherds until. the
evangelist tells US. they were sore
afraid"
Putting to flight their fears with
his angelic voice he proclaimed the
glad tidings of Saviour's birth,
which gospel Is intended FOR all peo-
pie. For unto you Is born this day
In the city of David. Saviour. which
is Christ the Lord. and this shall be
a sign unto you; ye shall find tho
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in q manger." 1t Is a mes
sage about a Saviour in apparent
weakness but in real power.
Such Is the gospel. 1t is message
about a personal saviour who In
spite OF all appearances Is the mighty
God, the Father OF eternity, and the
Prince of Peace. We must preach
Christ unto men II we know what 1t
lis to preach the gospel.
Again. we must notice the angelic
choir. The angel has arranged for
a service of praise" along with his
preaching. There Is the angels ser
mon. Then the angels song. 1t
speaks simply of GLORY to God In
the highest. and on earth peace. good
will toward men, 1t must have been
a melodious seryice---such music as
heavenly harmony secures: angelic
choristers doing their best to inter-
est and elevate the few poor shep-
herds.
gels passed away. went at once to
Bethlehem. leaving the sheep to the
dangers of their absence, they were
resolved to see for themselves, II
they could. the Saviour. Hence they
came with haste to the lowly birth
place and gazed with rapture upon
the child. They see and believe and
are ready to accept at once this child
as the saviour OF the world.
A little child is leading them and
next we find them becoming Wit
ncsses. telling all who will listen to
them what tho angel had said and
sung. and what they had found In
Bethlehem; for having found a per-
soEal saviour they cannot but pro-
claim 1t to others.
There was one who listened to
their story to profit by It. and that
was Mary. who listened to them and
pondered tho things she heard in her
heart.
The shepherds became important
witnesses for the incarnate Saviour:
SO should all who have seen him by
the eye of faith.
But Jet again, the shepherds. like
the angels, burst into praise, for
they returned clarifying and prais-
ing God for all the things that they
had heard and seen as It had been
told them.
1t does seem strange that such a
gospel should not be preached by
angels. and that they were anxious
| so to do appears from the narrative