The Yale expositor., 1918-12-19
SUNDGSQ1OOL
LESSON
CBy REV. p. b. FITZWATER, ID. D.,
Teacher OF English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper
Union.)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER q
THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
.EssoN rExr-tnl.a a.s.2n

NOTE: since the lesson committee
has suggested the birth of Jesus,
Christmas lesson, as an alternative for
this day, doubtless for most classes IL
will be desirable to use the Christmas
lesson and substitute the alternative
lesson for the review on December 20.
The birth of the Saviour occurred at
a 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 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 a 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
a manger. becoming the poorest Of the
poor that none might be hindered
from coming to him.
!. The Saviour's Birth Announced
e $40.
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
bic 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" DANES 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
cullar interest.
2. BY Whom-The Angel of the Lord
". %. The first 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 sympathized with
poor, sin-cursed, fallen men.
3. The Message-Good Tidings ".
10Y. O A Saviour is born. Surely
this was a gladstone 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 II :3D. 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 is
through Jesus Christ that Gods kind
ness and good will are made known to
man. (2) Peace ". 14. Peace with
God-peace of heart-peace with man.
How homogeneous this message with
our timel The world war was the re-
suit of not receiving this blessed mes
sage. (3) JOY ". 10). The gospel
message is a joyful message because 1t
frees from sin and REMOVES all the
burdens of this world.
u. The Shepherds Make Investlga-
ton t2:15, 49,. ~,'.
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 as the angels had said.
They had the glorious privilege Of
gazing upon the worlds Saviour-the
very Lord of glory.
III. The Shepherds Witnessing (2:
1D.
When they saw the Lord they could
not remain silent. They were inn
PEELED to make known abroad the good
news. Those who have heard the good
news of salvation through Christ and
have verified 1t by personal investiga-
ton must tell II to others. The angels
said that the good tidings OF great Joy
should be to all people ". 10). The
gospel of Christ is for all people re-
CARELESS Of nationality or condition.
II is just as really good news to the
king as 10 the peasant. 1t fills the
hearts of all with Joy.
w. The Shepherds PraIsIna God
(2s1S-20).
The testimony Of the shepherds had
varying effect-some wondered, and
others kept the sayings and pondered
them. but the shepherds went back
clarifying and praising God for all
they had seen and heard. Those who
have believed the gospel message and
proclaimed II abroad have a peculiar
Joy which must express itself In
| .,~olooo A., God