Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1920-12-17
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 19
THE BIRTH OF JESUS.

LESSON TEXT-Luke 2:1-20.
GOLDEN TEXT-For unto you is born
this day in the city of David, a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.-Luke 2:11
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL : Matt. ]
and e
PRIMARY ToPIC-The Gift of the
Baby Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Shepherd and the
Angels.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
"A Savior Born.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Significance of the Incarnation.
I. The Birth of the Savior wv. I'D.
1. The time of wv. 1, p. 1t was at a
time when the Jews were coming un-
der control Of the Roman power. In
the providence of God, the birth OF
Christ occurred at a time when all
the systems of religion and morality
were tottering upon their foundations.
1t was at time, indeed, when a new
force was needed to be brought into
the world. Furthermore, it occurred
at time which was the most suitable
for the introduction Of the gospel. The
made it possible for ministers to move
from city to city and from country to
country without molestation.
2. The place of wv. 3, ~. 1t took
place at Bethlehem as the prophet had
foretold some seven hundred years be-
fore (Micah 5:2). A little while previ-
Gus to this it seemed very unlikely that
the words of Micah would come true.
Mary, the mother Of Jesus, was in
Galilee, miles away from Jerusalem.
God moved the emperor to enforce the
decree Of taxation just at the time to
cause Mary to be at Bethlehem at the
proper time. Little did the emperor
realize that he was an instrument In
the hands of God to carry this out.
3. The circumstances of His birth
". y. The surroundings were the
most humble sort. The Almighty Crea
tor condescended to take upon Himself
humanity-to be born in a manger
becoming the poorest of the poor, thai
none might be hindered from coming
to Him.
II. The Birth of the Savior An
nounced (vv. S-14).
1. To whom ". 81. His birth wa:
announced to the shepherds who were
keeping watch over their fiOcks b.
night. The glorious gospel message
was first sounded forth to them. Thi!
shows that poverty is no barrier tt
the reception of the blessed gospel
God does not reveal Himself mainly t.
the princes and great men of the earth
but oftentimes these things are con
cealed from such, and disclosed to tn
poor. "Hath not God chosen the poo
of this world, rich in faith and heir
of the kingdom, which he hath pron
ised to them that love him?" (Jame
2:5). Their being busy with tn
duties of this life did not proven
them from being favored with thi
glorious message from God. Moses
Gideon, Amos and Elisha were Gale,
| by the Lord from the busy activitie
of life. The Lord never calls the idle
| he has no use for the lazy man.
2. By whom ". 81. The first gospe
sermon was preached by the angel o
the Lord. This exalted being has par
in the announcement of the plan o
salvation. No doubt angels earnestl
sympathize with poor, fallen, sin
| cursed men.
3. The nature Of the message (vy
1914. 1t was good tidings of grea
| joy. Surely this was q gladstone mes
/ eoro t. woe oood. tidippc booorca r.,
| darkness of heathendom which had fo
4 so long covered the earth was begir
ming to vanish. The casting out Q
Satan, the prince of the world, wa
about to take place. Liberty was nov
| soon to be proclaimed to those VIII
were in bondage. The way of saliva
ton was now about to be opened [
all. No longer was the knowledge @
| God to be confined to the Jews, bu
offered to the whole world. So glor
GUS was this good news that a multi
tude of the heavenly hosts appeared
joining in the song Of praise.
Ill. The Prompt Investigation of tn
Shepherds (vv. Is, 16).
They did not stop to argue or que.
tion, though no doubt these thing
seemed passing strange to them, br
they hastily went to Bethlehem wher
they found everything just as repr'
sented. They had the privilege {
first gazing upon the worlds Savio
the Lord Of glory. They returned wit
gratitude in their hearts, praising Go
for all these wonderful things whic
He had revealed to them.
Nv. The Shepherds Witnessing ",
17-20).
They could not remain silent. The
were impelled to tell the good new
All who have truly heard the good til
ings of salvation through Jesus Chri!
must tell it to others. These shepherd
went back to their work praising Co