Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-22

Christmas EMPHASIZES the greatest
event In human history. It proolafns
In song, spirit and serv4ce the story Of
the birth OF the Lord Jssua Our lessen
centers about this most signincant
event. No other portion OF the gospel
records has given to painters, poets and
preachers 20 many themes for studieA
songs and sermons 40 the nativity Of
the Christ child. The concise statements
Of the gospel authors have been en-
larged. expanded and expressed in nu-
merous legends. that have sought to an
swer the various questions OF men
whose lives have been Quickened by
the advent Of Christ. To the human IN
terest in the birth Of q child has been
added the religious and historical in
the birth OF Jesus Christianity has Its
fundamental basis in the miracle Of the
ages. that God entered tho human race
in the birth of Christ.
Tho philosopher who tries to solve the
influence OF Christianity that has
changed the current of civilization by
permeating the nations OF the earth
with its principles. and tries to trace
back this mighty river, that has over
flown the earth with its life-gtving
waters, finds it's fountain head in the
birth OF Jesus Christ. The lesson be-
fore US 10 full of suggestion 1t repre-
sents the attitude of modern men to-
ward Christ In their Indifference, self
ishness and sympathy. The great fact
of the lesson Is the birth Of Savior
and the way to find Him. The progress
Of the wise men in search for the Kin
is directed by the three great lights.
science, Scripture and Savior-that still
point out the way of life to men.
The wise men came from the east seek
Ing to worship the newborn king be-
cause they had seen His star In the east
They followed the Light of nature. These
sages from their study OF the phenomena
Of nature. that had already been systema-
tized into q silence, had become to know
that "earth's crammed with heaven, and
every common bush af1re with God" The
".he heavens declare the glory OF God
and the armament showeth His handi-
work"
To the man who loves nature It speaks
creates, sustains and orders all" Some
are more sensitive than others to the
voice OF nature that proclaims the divine
message. The souls that get alone with
| solitude of the plains or the silence Of the
mountains bear messages that influence
| their lives. About Saul. when he was
drawing near to Damascus, there shone
a light from heaven above the brightness
Of the sun. Owen Rhoscomyl. in a tale
| of the western prairfes, relates a personal
experience Of how suddenly, all in the
lifting OF hoof. the weird prairie had
cleaned into eerie life. had dropped the
veil and spoken to him" The skies spoke
Gods message to the wise men.
The sages Of the east, shut up to the
story Of nature, made the best of the light
that had come to them from the predic-
tons of the star. They followed Its lead
ing until they came to selfish Herod, who
was unnerved by their message. There
was q limitation to their learning. Mys-
| terry is at the commencement and end Of
an knowledge. The stars revealed Tho
glory Of God, but were inadequate as q
revelation Of His personality. purpose and
power. They needed fuller revelation
than that Of nature. The light Of rea-
son prompted them to question Herod
He turned to the scholars OF his court
who found an answer to the Scripture.
1 The Bible and nature are supplement
tary studies. The majesty Of God is
written in nature. but His personality Il
revealed in the Bible. The wise men fol-
lowed the leadership Of the star until II
brought them to the prophecy OF the Bible
that TOO years before had foretolds that
| the Messiah would be born In Bethlehem
| When they left Jerusalem to follow ths
light OF the Scripture they found tina
the light Of nature and Gods words Lex
them to the Christ. It is still true tina
the man. who. reverently studies tn,
truths Of the Bible Will ind the sam,
demonstrated to the truth by the tes