New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-12-21
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNNYS0lO0L
LESSON
(By f. o. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
the Sunday School Course Of the Moody
Bible Institute, Chicago)
Copyright. 1917, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20
THE STORY OF THE FIRST
CHRIiTMAS.

VINO Is christ the Lord.-Luke 2:u.
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
tial to complete the picture. No one
should teach this lesson who does
not have n good Harmony of the
Gospels" Every year for the As years
of the international Sunday School
Lessons, W have had the Christmas
lesson taken from these three Gospels
one ut a time. This year in closing
the present series, we unite all three
Gospels In n complete story, 1.-THE
Story of the First Christmas"
The order of events should clearly
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. 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
2:21). His redemption some 81 days
later, introducing Simon the priest
duke 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 IA the CEN
trail region of the Roman empire. The
whole civilized world was subject to
Roman domination. He was born
while the entire world IA at peace,
for once in its 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-
lished their synagOgues in nearly ev-
cry city and town. There was also
a widespread intellectual and moral
awakening, and there was widespread
religious unrest and Il hungering for
something better.
l. The Search. Notice that he who
was born on this first Christmas, was
the "only begotten of God" This div
inc being became flesh, Il strange and
seemingly impossible union, but only
such a union of the human and divine
could draw man to God. Ii 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. Q) Wisdom
seeking wv. l, p. See also Acts IL e.
Who these men were, we do not know,
They were evidently students of the
stars, and perhaps came from Persia
whittier BALKAN went. plumbers
3:7; Numbers ~24:17-19.) They may
have known of Daniels prophecy.
They came because they had seen a
star. A little light, only II small star,
and we may have the sun. (John
S:12.) The highest wisdom Is to know
God. prov. 9:1O.) We do not have
to seek far to find him. The highest
wisdom Is also %teuchable: "Where Is
he that Is bornY" These wise men
were not the first ones to seek him
for the humble shepherds who had
heard the angelic host duke 2:1o,
16), Immediately went to Jerusalem
to make sure that the good news was
true. Tradition only gives us the
names of these men. They typlfy the
world, the first Gentilcs who came to
seek Jesus. (2) Wickedness Seeking
", 3-8). 1t is interesting to note
the alarm of Herod, his suspi-
cion and jealousy. Why! Note the
%carefulness of Herod's search. First
the chief priests, who were the
ologians; then the scribes and
lawyers, who were the historians ;
then the common people who were
familiar with the traditions: and,
finally, the wise men ". y. lie
thought he had not left any loop-hole
in his search, but he had neglected
God, 1t is interesting to know that
the searching of Scripture on this oc-
casion did not produce the result we
most naturally think of in connection
with the study of the word of God.
u. Wisdom Rewarded wv. GID.
Persistent obedient searching after
God always brings wisdom. Notice
the steps of the wise men. They
sought, they found, they rejoiced, they
w%Orshiped and they gave gifts. The
stable of Christ's birth is%'evidently an
exchange for a house ". II and Luke
go. 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. They
gave their best gifts and thus they
provided for his flight into Egypt.
Their gifts represented the worlds
tribute, but notice that worship came
before giving. psalm 72:10. 11.)
III. Wickedness Fooled wv. 12-16).
God interviewed ". 12). Notice the
impotent rage of the enemy ". 16).
Christ was delivered Herod was dis
mayed, and the people were desolate.
due to sin. Notice the contrasts. Men
seeking, Jerusalem careless. Men
seeking to worship, Herod, TO kill.
God intervening to protect ". 12)
Herod to destroy ". 16). Joy COM
ing TO the wise men, wrath to the
foiled wicked ones.
SUGGESTIONS: The cry where" of
the human heart is here answered.