Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-12-21
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 23
THE STORY OF THE FIRST
CHRISTMAS.
SON TEXT-Matthew 2:1-12.

recorded IN three of the four Gospels,
Matthew, Luke and John, each of
which contributes some feature essen
tial to complete the picture. No one
should teach this lesson who does
not have a good harmony of the
Gospels" Every year for the 45 years
of the International Sunday School
Lessons, we have had the Christmas
lesson taken from these three Gospels
one at time. This year in closing
the present series, we unite all three
Gospels in one complete story, "The
Story of the First Christmas"
The order Of events should clearly
be kept in mind as follows: "The
angelic announcement to Zacharias
the priest, while In the exercise Of
his ministerial office. The angelic an.
nouncement to Mary, the mother of
Jesus, and to Joseph, her espoused
husband. Marys visit to her cousin
Elizabeth, and the birth of John the
Baptist. The birth of Jesus and his
circumcision on the eighth day duke
2:21). His redemption some 81 days
later, introducing Simon the priest
Ouke 2:22). and the publication of
the mother.
The coming of Jesus was at the most
oppOrtune time in all the history of
the world, for Palestine was the CEN
tral region of the Roman empire. The
whole civilized world was subject to
Roman domination. He was born
while the entire world was at peace,
for once in it's history. Travel was
at its best, for the Roman military
roads all centered in Rome and ex-
tended throughout the empire. The
Greek language was spoken every
where, along with native languages,
so that the Gospel could readily be
heard in all parts of the empire. The
Old Testament was translated into
Greek. The Jews were scattered
throughout all lands, carrying this Old
Testament with them, and had estab-
hshed their synagogues in nearly ev-
cry city and town. There was also
q widespread intellectual and moral
awakening and there was widespread
religious unrest and hungering for
something better.
|. The Search. Notice that he who
was born on this first Christmas, was
the "only begotten of God" This div
inc being became flesh, strange and
seemingly impossible union, but only
such a union of the human and divine
could draw man to God. If Jesus
had not been identified with the divine
nature of God, all the love, honor and
devotion which we give to him, would
lead us into idolatry. Ql Wisdom
seeking wv. l, y. See also Acts 13 :6.
Who these men were, we do not know
They were evidently students of the
stars, and perhaps came from Persia
whittier Balaam went. (Numbers
23:7; Numbers "a :17-19) They may
have known of Daniels prophecy
They came because they had seen &
star. A little light, only a small star
and we may have the sun. (Johr
S:12.J The highest wisdom is to know
God. (Prov. o :10.) We do not have
to seek far to find him. The highes
wisdom is also teachable: "Where il
he that is born?" These wise mel
were not the first ones to seek him
! for the humble shepherds who haC
4 heard the angelic host Uuke 2:15
/ 16), Immediately went to Jerusalem
to make sure that the good news wa:
/ true. Tradition only gives us the
names of these men. They typify th'
world, the first Gentiles who came tt
seek Jesus. (2) Wickedness Seeking
". 3-S). 1t is interesting to note
the alarm of Herod, his suspi
cion and jealousy. Whyt Note tht
carefulness of Herod's search. FRS
the chief priests, who were the
ologians; then the scribes anC
lawyers, who were the historians
then the common people who wer
familiar with the traditions; and
finally, the wise men ". y. HI
thought he had not left any loop-hol
in his search, but he had neglecte,
God. 1t is interesting to know tina
the searching of Scripture on this oC
casion did not produce the result W
most naturally think Of in connectio
with the study of the word of God.
II. Wisdom Rewarded wv. Oil
Persistent obedient searching afte
God always brings wisdom. Motto
the steps of the wise men. The
sought, they found, they rejoiced, the
worshiped and they gave gifts. TIL
stable of Christ's birth is evidently q
exchange for n house ". IL and LUX
2:7). The gifts they presented hay
q threefOld significance: Gold, fc
royalty, indicating divine glory Franl
incense for deity, the aroma Of hi
life Myrrh, signifying death, his deaf
and it's value to mankind. Notice thf
they did not worship Mary. The
gave their best gifts and thus the
provided for his flight into Egyp
Their gifts represented the world
tribute, but notice that worship can
before giving. psalm 72 10, 11.)
III. Wickedness FoiIed wv. 1916
God intervened ". 12). Notice Il
impotent rage of the enemy ". 16
Christ was delivered Herod was di
mayed, and the people were desolat
due to sin. Notice the contrasts. Nc
seeking, Jerusalem careless. Me-
seeking to worship, Herod, to XII
God intervening to protect ". II
Herod to destroy ". 16). Joy col
ing to the wise men, wrath to Il
foiled wicked ones.
Suggestions: The cry where"
the human heart is here answere
God answers all honest searching. G,
himself gave his best gift (John 3:1t
God also desires our best gift. V
must worship Jesus as king. Religi'
is not for the Magi alone, nor for t
common people; it is for all. We ha
not far to 90 to seek the Christ.