The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-12-17
IMPROVED uNlroln INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMS0lOOL
LESSON
By REV. p. B. FITZWATER. d. D,
Teacher Of English Bible In the MOODY
Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
"a 1890. Western Newspaper Union.l
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 10
THE BIRTH OF JESUS

LESSON TEXT-Luks 1:1-2o.
GOLDEN TExT-For unto you 10 born
this day In the city of David. q Saviour.
which is Christ the Lord.-Luke 2:11.
| ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Matt 1
and 3.
PRIMARY ToP1c-Ths GIFT of the
JUNIOR ToPIc-rhs Shepherd and the
| Angels.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
"a Savior Born.
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tho Significance Of the Incarnation.
| !. The Birth Of the Savior (vv. 1-7).
l. The time Of (vv. l. p. It 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 totterlng upon their foundations.
It was at time, indeed, when new
force was needed to be brought into
the world. Furthermore. 1t occurred
at time which was the most suitable
for the Introduction of the gospel. The
whole world being under one rule
made 1t possible for ministers to move
from city to city and from country to
country without molestation.
2. The place of wv. 8, ~. 1t took
place at Bethlehem as the prophet had
foretold some seven hundred years be-
| fore (Aiicah 5:2). A little while previ-
GUS to this 1t seemed very unlikely that
| the words Of Micah would come true.
kha 80 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
| ". ~. The surroundings were the
most humble sort. The Almighty Crea-
tor condescended to take upon Himself
humanity-to be born I'D a manger,
becoming the poorest of the poor, that
| none might be hindered from coming
| to Him.
10. The Birth Of the Savior An
nounced wv. s-14).
| 1. To whom ". 81. 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
shows 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 to the
poor. "Hath not God chosen the poor
Of this world. rich In faith and heirs
Of the kingdom, which he hath prom
ised to them that love himy (James
2:5). 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 and 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 ". 81. 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.
8. The nature of the message wv.
10-14). 1t was good tidings Of great
JOY. Surely this was gladstone mes
sage. 1t was good tidings because the
darkness of heathendom which had for
so long covered the earth was begin
ming to vanish. The casting out Of
| Satan, the prince of the world, was
about to take place. Liberty was now
soon to be proclaimed to those who
were In bondage. The way of saliva
| tion was now about to be opened to
all. No longer was the knowledge Of
God to be confined to the Jews, but
offered to the whole world. So glori-
Jus was this good news that multi
tude of the heavenly hosts appeared,
Joining in the song Of praise.
III. The Prompt Investigation Of the
Shepherds wv. 15, 16).
| They did not stop to argue or ques-
tion, though no doubt these things
seemed passing strange to them, but
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, praising God
for all these wonderful things which
He had revealed to them.
~. The Shepherds Witnessing wv.
1920.
They could not remain silent. They
were impelled to tell the good news.
All who have truly heard the good It'd
ings of salvation through Jesus Christ
must tell 1t to others. These shepherds
went back to their work praising God.