The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-12-19

| Woolston, Denison.
Adult and Home Superintendent.
Mrs. E. w. Pierce, Denison.
! Educational Superintendent, Miss
Monetta Jorgensen, Vail.
Supervision Superintendent, F. l..
Hoffman, Denison
December 23-Advent Of the Messiah.
Matt. 2: 1-12.
1t is probable that for the thirtieth
time, sit down to write on the subject
of the birth of Christ, for the Sunday
school column. There at times, might
come the feeling that it is an old, old
subject. that all has been said that is
needful, and the people generally have
no special interest in what is about to
be written. What a wicked thought that
is however. The birth of Jesus, the
Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God,
something old and of no interest
far is it from the fact.
The birth of Jesus, the Christ, was
one of the most important events ip
the history of the world, since its
creation. Events in known history
have place in time as they come before
or after the birth of Jesus. The history
of the human race hinges about that
time and judgment on it rests on the
relationship it bears to Jesus and a
knowledge of His teachings.
The announcements Of the angelic
hosts to the humble shepherds on the
plains of Judea,
Fear not, for, behold, bring you
tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people. For unto you is
born this day, in the city of David
Savior, which is Christ the Lord
still stirs the people of the earth, Civ
ing joy and encouragement, faith and
comfort. Just think for one moment
of a "Christless world" with the stand
ards of love, chastity, honesty, BROTH
erly love. wiped out! Every noble
instinct within us revolts at the
thought of living in such-women de-
tempt, moral laws unknown, might
right, no accountability in the
future as check on ambition and de-
spelling friend and foe-all these and
hundreds of things of the like all in
the atmosphere about us. No, no, a
Christless world for us now, Never!
Never!
The particular verses set for the les
son are those telling Of the coming of
the wise men to Jerusalem, looking for
the whereabouts of the newly born
King of the Jews. 1t will be recalled
now Hered called the wise Jews to-
gether, and how they decided from the
Bible that in Bethlehem of Judea, the
king should come and how they then
proceeded to that city, found the babe
and by faith believed this was indeed
the promised one, gave the child royal
honors, bestowing rich presents. The
opening chapters of Ben Hur set
forth the meeting of the wise men in
the desert, the remarkable setting
forth of the reasons for believing that
they had been called to see the new.
born redeemer/ of the world, their
journey to Jerusalem and the events
which followed. Indeed, Wallace has
there painted picture which once i'm
pressed on the mind, can never be ef-
faced. 1t is seldom that a Christmas
time goes by that do not get out the
book and see again in Imagination, the
great white camels, the desert stretch
ing for away, the looks of the three
men as they realized that they had
been systematically drawn together
and their continued search, led by the
star. Try it yourself this year and see
if it does not give you light upon the
birth OF Christ, over nineteen hundred
years ago.
Those who have read this column
from year to year, will know that
there is another book written by a
great man-Charles Dickens, which it
IS yearly custom to ask a reading of.
Many of us have drifted into the atti-
Jude of the old Scrooge, toward Christ
mas and a reading of the Christmas,I
Carol in which he is the principal char
.cter will drive away any selfishness
It this time, and glorify the joys of
giving to the needy and spreading sun
shine in the world.
1t should be with feeling of intense
that we approach anoth-
II Christmas time. Thankfulness that
ife has been spared for another year.
hanks that ones lot is to live in a
and of bibles where the truths of
;hrist's gospels are the highest ideals
If living, thanks that by His birth, life
md death, we have absolute assur-
lnce of life after physical death, a
OyOus resurrection to new life, where
here is no more death, tears, heart
lches, and loved ones gone before can
,e seen and recognized. Our hearts
should prompt us to join in the angelic
GLORY to God in the Highest
md to keep Christmas as day above
III others in the year.