The Elbert County tribune., 1917-12-21

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 2I-l2
GOLDEN TEXT-There is born to you
this day in the city OF David. a Savior,
who Is Christ the Lord.-LulSe 2:l1.
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 good ''harrnony of the
Gospels" Every year for the As 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, 1.-THE
Story of the First Christmas"
The order of events should clearly
be kept in mind as follows: 1.-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 Uuke
2:21). His redemption some 81 days
later. introducing Simon the priest
Uuke 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
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
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
widespread intellectual and moral
awakening, and there was widespread
religious unrest and a 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, a 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. O Wisdom
seeking wv. l, y. See also Acts 13 %.
Who these men were, we do not know.
They were evidently students of the
stars, and perhaps came from Persia
whittier Balaam went. plumbers
% a; Numbers "a :17-19) They may
have known of Daniels prophecy.
They came because they had seen a
star. A little light, only small star,
and we may have the sun. (John
S:12.) The highest wisdom is to know
God. (Prov. 8 :1O.) We do not have
to seek far to find him. The highest
wisdom is also teachable: where is
he that is born?" These wise men
were not the first ones to seek him,
for the humble shepherds who had
heard the angelic host Uuke 2:f5,
16), Immediately went to Jerusalem
to make sure that the good news was
true. Tradition only gives us the
names of tLese men. They typify the
world, the first Gentiles 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.
II. Wisdom Rewarded fvv. 9-11).
Persistent obedient searching after
God always brings wisdom. Notice
the steps of the wise men. They
sought, they found, they rejoiced, they
worshiped and they gave gifts. The
stable of Christ's birth is evidently an
exchange for house ". IL and Luke
2:O. 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. WIckedness FoiIed wv. 12-16).
God intervened ". 12). Notice the
lmrotent rage Of the eperzy ". 16).
Christ was delivered. Herod was dis
mayed, and the people were desolate.
Suggestions: The cry "whsre" Of
the human heart is here answered.
God answers all honest searching. God