The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1917-12-20

this day In the city of David a Savior.
who Is Christ the Lord.-Luke 2:1L
The story of the birth of Jesus Is
recorded In three of the four Gospels,
Matthew Luke and John, each of
which contributes some feature essen
tiai to complete the picture. No one
should teach this lesson who does
not have II good harmony Of the
Gospels" Every year for the 40 years
of the International Sunday School
Lessons, we have had the Christmas
lesson taken from these three Gospels
one at n 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 rs follows: THE
angelic announcement To ZacharIas.
the priest. while in the exercise of
his ministerial office. The angelic an
nouneemcnt to Mary. the mother CT
Jesus, and to Joseph, her espoused
husband Mary's visit to her cousin,
Elizabeth, and the birth OF John the
Baptist. The birth of Jesus and his
circumcision on the eighth day duke
:2l). Ills redemption some 81 days
later, Introducing Simon the priest
duke 10y, and the publication OF
the mother.
The coming of Jesus was at the most
opportupe time In all the history of
u
trail 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 its history. Travel was
ut It's best. fer 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 We're scattered
throughout all lands. carrying this Old
Testament with them, and had estab-
ished their synagogues ia nearly ev-
cry city and town There WIS also
a wide spread intellectual and moral
awakening and there Was widespread
religious unrest and u hungerlng for
something better.
|. The Search Notice that he who
was born on this first Christmas. was
the "enly hegotten Of God" This div
Inc being became flesh. II strange and
seemingly impossible union, but only
such n union OF the human and divine
could draw man to God. II Jesus
had not been identified With the divine
nature of Cod all he love. honor and
devotion which We give 10 him. would
lead rs into idolatry, Cd Wisdom
seeking CIV. |. y. See also Acts 10 -.
Who these men were. we do not know.
They were evidently students OF The
stars. and perhaps came from Persia
whittier Balaam went. plumbers
ri: Numbers 2i:tI-laD They may
have known of Daniels pr,~hecy.
They came because they had seen
star. A little light. only small star,
aud We may aave the sun. eJehn
S.12) The highest wisdom Is 10 know
God. Pruv 9eio) We do not have
10 seek far to find him The highest
wisdom IS also teachahle: "Where Is
he that IL hornf" These wise men
were not the first ones Ia seek him.
for the humble shepherds who had
heard the angelic host duke ia,
lG0, Immediately went To Jerusalem
To make sure that the good news was
true. Tradition only gives us the
names Of these men. Whey typify the
world, the first Gentilcs who came To
seek Jesus. (2) WlckedHess Seeking
". 3-S). II Is interesting 10 note
the alarm OF lerod his suspi-
clon and jealousy. Why? Note the
carefuness of Herod's search. First
the chief priests, who were the
ologians: then the scrihes and
lawyers, who were the historians:
then the common people who were
familiar with the traditions: aud.
finally. the WIS., men ". y.
II. Wisdom Rewarded tvv. OLD.
Persistent obedtent searching after
God always brings wisdom. Notice
the steps of the wise men. They
sought. they found they rejoiced, they
worshped and they gave gifts. The
stable OF Chrlst's birth Is evidently an
exchange for house ". II and Luke
2:71. The gifts they presented have
"A threefold significance: Gold, for
royalty. indicating divine glory Frank
incense for deity, the aroma of his
life. Myrrh. signifying death, his death
/ and its value TO mankind. Notice that
! they did not worship Mary.
III. Wlckedness Fooled wv. 1216).
! God interviewed ". ~. Notice the
| impotent rage of the enemy ". l6).
! Christ was delivered. Herod was dis
mayed. and the people were desolate.
Suggestions: The cry "where" of
the human heart is here answered.
God answers all honest searching. God
himself gave his best gift John :16).
God also desires our best gift. We
must worship Jesus as king. Religion
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