The Arvada enterprise., 1918-12-19
LESSON FOR DECEMBER e
THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

this day In the city Of David Savior
who 10 Christ the Lord.-Luks ELL
Note: Since the lesson committee
has suggested the birth Of Jesus, q
Christmas lesson, as an alternative for
this day, doubtless for most classes It
will be desirable to use the Christmas
lesson and substitute the alternative
lesson for the review on December %.
The birth Of the Saviour occurred at
most propltious time. The need was
great, for the systems of morals and
religion were tottering upon their
foundations. 1t was also a time Of
great opportunity, for the whole world
was under one rule, making 1t possible
for evangelists to 60 from city to city
and country to country without fear
or molestation. The place Of his birth
was Bethlehem, a. the prophet had
foretold some seven hundred years be-
fore (Aficah SPY. God permitted the
emperor to enforce q decree Of taxation
just at the time to cause Mary to be
at Bethlehem when she gave birth to
the Saviour. That which the Word Of
God has announced shall most surely
come to pass. though its fulfillment
seem most unlikely and unreason-
able. The surroundings of his birth
were the most humble sort. The Al.
mighty Creator condescended to take
upon himself humanity-to be born in
q manger, becoming the poorest Of the
poor that none might be hindered
from coming to him.
Z. The Savieurs Birth Announces
(2:s-14).
I. To Whom-shepherds ". 81. In
the hrst Christmas service the audi.
encs was composed Of humble shep-
herds. The glorious gospel message
was FIRST sounded forth to these hum
BILE men while watching over their
nocks BY plight. Poverty IL NO barrier
to the reception Of the gospel message.
God does not reveal himself mainly to
the princes and great men Of the earth.
Hath not God chosen the poor Of this
world, rich In faith and heirs Of the
kingdom"' (James 2:5). Neither did
their devotion to their calling exclude
them from this greatest favor Of God.
Moses, Gideon, Amos and Elisha were
called by the Lord from the busy &C.
tivities Of life. He never calls the
idle. The Lord has no use for . lazy
man. The working man IL Gods Pc
culiar interest.
2. BY Whom-The Angel Of the Lord
". o.. The nrst gospel sermon was
delivered by the angel Of the Lord.
Angels, the exalted ministers Of God
are interested In men Hebrews ! :14),
and this one announced unto men
Gods plan Of salvation. These beings
no doubt sincerely sympathixed with
poor. sin.cursed. fallen men.
8. The Message Tidings ".
10Y. ~ A Saviour IL born. Surely
this was q gladsome message. Heath.
en- darkness which had 20 long Cursed
the earth was beginning to vanish.
The casting ont Of Satan, the prince
Of the world. was about to take place
(John 12:Sl). Liberty was about to
be proclaimed to those In bondage to
sin. The way Of salvation was about
to be opened to all. So glorious was
this news that multitude Of the heav.
emily host accompanied this announce
ment with their song Of praise. 1t 10
through Jesus Christ that Gods kind.
ness and good will are made known to
man. (2) Peace ". 14). Peace with
0od-peace Of heart-peace with man.
How incongruOus this message with
our time! The world war was the NJ
suit Of not receiving this blessed mes
sage. (S) Joy ". 10Y. The gospel
message Is Joyful message because 1t
frees from sin and removes all the
burdens of this world.
u. The Shepherds Make invsstlea-
ten (2:15. lG.
Though these things seemed pass
ing strange to them they did not stop
to question or argue; they went
straight to Bethlehem and found
everything Just a. the angels had said.
They had the glorious privilege Of
gasing upon the worlds Saviour-ths
very Lord Of glory.
~. The ohspherds Witnessing q:
~.
When they saw the Lord they could
not remain silent. They were i'm
PEELED to make known abroad the good
nsws. Those who have heard the good
news Of salvation through Christ and
have verified II By personal invesusa'
ton must tell Il 10 others. The angels
said that the good tidinss Of great Joy
should b to all people ". 10). The
gospel Of Christ 10 for oil people ~
gardisss Of nationality or condition.
II u Just - really good news to the
king % to the peasant II oils the
hearts Of al With Joy.
". TIE ohsphsrds Pralsi00 a.
(2:1e20).
The testimony Of the shepherds had
q varying slSsct-soms wondered. and
others kept the sayinss and pondsrsd
them. but the shepherds went back
giorifying and praisins God for all
they had seen and heard. Those who
have believed The gospel message and
proclaimed II abeoad have Q peculiar
Joy which must express itself u
psaisee 70 God