The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-12-16
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
THE BIRTH OF JESUS

LESSON TEXT-Luke 2i-@
GOLDEN TENT-For unto you IL born
this day In the city of David. a Saviour.
which Is Christ the l,ord,-Luke an.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Matt 4
and 2
PRIMARY ToPIc-The GIFT Of IN.
Baby Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIc-The Shepherd and the
Angels
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
A savior Born.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Significance Of the Incarnation.
!. The Birth OF the Savior wv. III.
!. The time Of (vv. 1. ~. II was nj q
time when the Jews were coming I'M
der control OF the Roman power In
the providence OF God, the birth OF
Christ occurred ut a time when all
the systems Of religion and morality
were tottering upon their foundations.
II was az a time. indeed. when a new
force was needed TO be brought into
the world. Furthermore. II occurred
at time which was the most suitable
for the introduction OF the gospel. The
whole world being under one rule
made II possible for ministers to move
from city to city and from country TO
country without moiestation.
2 The place OF wv. 3. ~. II took
place at Bethlehem as the prophet had
foretold some seven hundred years be
fore (Micah 5 ~. A little while previ-
Gus 10 this II 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 10 enforce the
decree Of taxation just at the time 10
cause Mary 10 be at Bethlehem az the
proper time Little did the emperor
realize that he was an instrument In
the hands OF God 10 carry this out.
3. The circumstances OF His birth
". -. The surroundings were the
most humble sort The Almighty Crea-
tor condescended 10 take upon Himself
humanity-to be born In manger,
becoming the poorest Of the poor. that
none might be hindered from coming
20 Him.
n. The Birth OF the Savior An
nounoed wv. $40.
!. To whom ". ~. His birth was
announced TO the shepherds who were
keeping watch over their fiocks by
night. The glorious gospel message
was first sounded forth TO them. This
show that poverty Is no barrier to
the reception OF the blessed gospel.
God does not reveal Himself mainly to
the princes and great men OF the earth.
but oftentimes these things are con-
cealed from such, and disclosed 10 the
poor. Hath not God chosen the poor
Of this world. rich In faith and heirs
Of the kingdom. which he hath prom
Used 10 them that love himf" James
2 -. Their being busy with the
duties Of this life did not prevent
them from being favored with this
glorious message from God. Moses.
Gideon. Amos aud Elisha were called
by the Lord from the busy activities
Of life The Lord never calls the idle;
he has no use for the lazy man.
2. by whom ". 80. The first gospel
sermon was preached by the angel OF
the Lord. This exalted being has part
In the announcement OF the plan OF
salvation. No doubt angels earnestly
sympathIze with poor. fallen, sim
cursed men.
g. The nature OF the message wv.
i0-i4). II was good tldlngs OF great
JOY. Surely this was a gladstone mes
sage. II was good tidngs because the
darkness Of heathendom which had for
so long covered the earth was begin
ming 10 vanish The casting out OF
Satan. the prince ~ the world. was
about to take place. Liberty was now
soon 10 be proclaimed 10 those who
were IN bondage. The way OF saliva
tlOn was now about 20 be opened TO
all. No longer was the knowledge OF
God 10 be confined 10 the Jews. but
offered TO the whole world SO glori-
Gus was this good news that a multi
tude OF the heavenly hosts appeared.
joining IN the song OF praise.
~ The Prompt investigation Of the
Shepherds wv. 10. lG).
They aid not stop TO argue or ques-
tlon. though no doubt these things
seemed passing strange to them. but
they hastily went 10 Bethlehem where
they found everything just as repre-
sented. They had the privilege OF
first gazing upon the worlds Savior.
the Lord Of glory. They returned with
gratitude In their hearts. pralslng God
for all these wonderful things which
lie had revealed 10 them.
w. The Shepherds Witnessing wv.
17-20).
They could not remain silent. They
were impelled 10 tell the good news.
All who have truly heard the good It'd
ings Of salvation through Jesus Christ
must tell II TO others. These shepherds
went back 10 their work praislng God.