The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-18

GOLDEN TEXT-For unto you Is
born this day In the city OF David. q
Savior who Is Christ the Lord.-Luke
2:11
NOTE-Since the lesson committee
has suggested the birth Of Christ.
Christmas lesson, as an alternative for
this day, doubtless for most classes It
viii be desirable to use the Christmas
lesson and substitute the alternative
lesson for the review on December %.
The birth Of the Savior occurred at
most propttiouS time. The need was
great, for the systems Of morals and
religion were tottering upon their
foundations. It was also a time Of
great opportunity for the whole world
was under enc rule, making ft possible
for evangelists to go from city to city
and country to country without fear
or molestation. The place OF his birth
was Bethlehem, as the prophet had
foretold some seven hundred years be.
fore CMicah SGD God permitted the
emperor to enforce decree Of taxa
ton Just at the time to cause Mary to
be at Bethlehem when. she gave birth
to the Savior. That which the Word OF
God has announced shall most surely
come to pass, through It's fulfiIlment
seem most unlikely and unreasonable.
The surroundings OF his birth were the
most humble sort. The Almighty
Creator condescended to take upon
himself rUnanity-to be born in a
manger, becoming the poorest OF the
poor that none might be hindered from
coming to him.
I. The savior's Birth Announced
(2:s-14.)
To whom-sheoherds ". 81 In the
first Christmas service the audience
was composed OF humble shepherds.
The glorious gospel message was first
sounded forth to these humble men
while watching over their nocks at
night. Poverty Is on barrier to the
reception Of the Gospel message. God
does not reveal himself mainly to the
princes ard great men Of the earth.
Hath God not chosen the poor Of this
earth. rich in faith and heirs OF the
kingdom?'' Games 2:5.) Neither did
their devotion to their calling exclude
Them from the greatest favor of Cod
Moses, Gideon, Amos and Elisha were
called By the Lord from the busy ac-
tivities OF life. He never calls the
idle. The Lord has no use for a lazy
man. The working man is Gods pc.
culfar interest.
2. By Whom-The Angel OF the Lord
Nv. 81 The first gospel sermon was
delivered by the Angel Of the Lord,
Angels, !1e exalted ministers of God
are interested in men (Hebrews 1:14.)
and this one announced unto men!
Gods plan OF salvation. These beings
no doubt sincerely sympathized with
poor, sin-cCrsed fallen men.
3. The Message Tidiugs ".
10) I'd A Savior is born. Surely
this was gladsome message. Heath.
en- darkness when so long had cursed
the earth was beginning to vanish.
The casting out OF Satan. the prince
CT the world, was about to take place
(John 1919 Liberty was about toll
be proclaimed to those in bondage tol
sin. Tho way OF salvation was about
to be opened to all So glorious was
this news that multitude CT the heav-
enly host accompanied this announce
ment with their song of praise. It is
through Jesus Christ that Gods kind
ness and gooc Will are made known to
God-peaca CT heart-peace with man.
How inconerous this message with
out time! The world war was the re.
suit OF not receiving this blesser mes
sage. 90 Joy w. 1O) The gospel
message is joyful message because It
frees from sin and removes all the
burdens OF this world.
Il. The Shepherds Make inVesti9a-
ton (2:15. 16)
Though these things seemed passing
strange to them they did not stop to
question or argue: they went straight
to Bethlehem and found everything
just as the angels had said. They had
the glorious privilege OF gazing upon
the worlds Savior-the very Lord Of
glroy-
III. The Shepherds Witnessing e:
When they saw the Lord they co1Id
not remGln silent. They were fmpelIed
to make known road the good news.
Those who have heard the good news
OF salvation through Christ and have
verefied it by personal Investigation
must tell it to others. The Angels
said that the good tfdings Of great JOY
should be to all people ". 10.) The
gospel of Christ is for all people re-
gardIess OF nationality or condition.
1t is Just as really good news to the
king as to the peasant. It fills the
hearts OF all with Joy.
w. The Shepherds PraisEns God
(2:1S-2o.1
The testimony Of the shepherds had
varying effect-some wondered, and
others kept the sayings and pondered
them. buS the shepherds went back
Clarifying and prafsfng God for all
they had seen and heard. Those who
have believed the gospel message and
proclaimed 1t abroad have peculiar
Joy which must express itself In prats-
es to God.
ANTI SPLITTING