Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-12-20
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUYlNSUOOL.
LESSON
By REV. P. B, FITZwATER. D. D..
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
Copyright. 1918, Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 22
THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

LESSON TEXT-Luke $500
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 Jesus, a
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 propitious 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 one rule, making it 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 (Micah 5:2). God permitted the
Emperor to enforce decree of taxation
Just at the time to cause Mary to be
1t Bethlehem when she gave birth to
he Saviour. That which the Word of
Tod has announced shall most surely
-'ome to pass, though its fulf1llment
seem most unlikely and unreason-
lble. The surroundings of his birth
we're the most humble sort. The Al.
| mighty Creator condescended to take
| Upon himself humanity-to be born in
| manger, becoming the poorest of the
| poor that none might be hindered
from coming to him.
/. The Saviour's Birth Announced
(2:S-14).
1. To Whom-Shepherds ". 81. In
the first Christmas service the audi
ence was composed of humble shep-
herds. The glorious gospel message
was first sounded forth to these hum,
Bile men while watching over their
flocks by night. Poverty is 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 ac-
tivities of life. He never calls the
idle. The Lord has no use for a lazy
man. The working man is Gods pc
cIliar interest.
| 2. BY Whom-The Angel of the Lord
". 81. The first gospel sermon was
delivered by the angel of the Lord.
Angels, the 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-cursed, fallen men.
8. The Message-Good Tidings "
10Y. ID A Saviour is born. Surely
this was a gladsome message. Heath
en- darkness which had so long cursed
the earth was beginning to vanish
The casting out of Satan, the prince
of the world, was about to take place
| John 12:31). Liberty was about tc
be proclaimed to those in bondage tc
, sin. The way Of salvation was about
, to be opened to all. So glorious wa:
. this news that a multitude of the heav
| enly host accompanied this announce
|, ment with theit song of praise. 1t il
! through Jesus Christ that Gods kind
i, ness and good will are made known tt
: man. (2) Peace ". 14): Peace witt
! God-peace of heart-peace with man
+. How incongruous this message witt
: our time! The world war was the re
suit of not receiving this blessed mes
: | sage. (3) Joy ". 10}. The gospe
message is a joyful message because
:, frees from sin and removes all tn
: burdens of this world.
II. The Shepherds Make Investigs
i tion (2:15, 16). - IN.
Though these things seemed pas.
q ing strange to them they did not sto
: to question or argue; they wen
straight to Bethlehem and foun
! everything just as the angels had sait
: They had the glorious privilege Z
!, gazing upon the worlds Saviour-th
a very Lord of glory.
. Ill. The Shepherds Witnessing e
~.
= When they saw the Lord they coul
= not remain silent. They were in
n PEELED to make known abroad the goo
news. Those who have heard the goo
'r news of salvation through Christ an
have verified it by personal investig,
tion must tell it to others. The ange
said that the good tidings of great jo
Il should be to all people ". 10Y. Th
x gospel Of Christ is for oil people r
e gardless of nationality or condition
!; It is just as really good news to ii
II king as to the peasant. It fills til
N hearts Of all with joy.
r Nv. The Shepherds Praisina &C
n (2:1S-2O).
The testimony of the shepherds ha
V varying effect-some wondered, az
~ others kept the sayings and pondere
.: them, but the shepherds went bas
III glorifying and praising God for q
~ they had seen and heard. Those wi
10 have believed the gospel message ar
proclaimed it abroad have a peculi;
joy which must express itself
n praises to God. FL = g4~-