The Arvada enterprise., 1921-12-22
LESSON FOR DECEMBER Is
CHRiSrMAo lG8SoN-TNG VISIT
OF THE WisG MEN.


LESSON TEXT-MAtt. a:i-ia
GOLDEN TExT-And when they had
opened their treasures they presented
unto him gifts; gold and frAnktncense
and myrrh.-Matt. 2:il.
PRIMARY TOPIc-Wiae Men Visit the
Raby Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPlC-Ths Wise Men and
the Star.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-IThc First Christmas.
YOUNG PE,OPI.E AND ADULT TOPIC
= The Most Joyous Day In tho Year
I. The King Earnsstly Sought wv.
n y.
These Wise Men who sought Jesus
were either Arabian or Persian as-
trologers-students Of the sturs. The
appearance Of mn unusual stNr ut
trncted their attention. Perhaps
they were acquainted with the famous
prophecy of Ralaam tNum. ?4:i7).
Doubtless through the influence Of the
Jews who remained In Chnltiea. or the
direct influence OF Daniel extending
10 this time. they had become ac.
Qualnted with the hope Of Messiah.
The light they had was dim. hut they
lived up to the hest they had. To
those who net upon the hest light
they have. God always gives more.
To those who refuse to Uct upon tho
knowledge given. God not only re.
fuses to give more. hut brings into
confusion that which they already
POSSESS (Nlatt. 70 :2s). These men
were really wise. Lot us learn from
them:
]. That all true wisdom leads 10
the Savior. for lie Is the Loxos-ths
fnlness Of wisdom.
.. That Gods Word shall not return
unto him void lisa. h5 :iD. The seeds
cast upon the waters Of the Fast
brought forth fruit after many days.
No work done for the Lord eventually
falls.
2. The grace of God calls men from
unexpected quarters. SO,ne who have
the lcast opportunities give the great
eat hOnOrs to Christ: while others.
blessed with the richest opportunities.
shut Him out.
II. Hsrod Seeking TO XIII the kino
(vv. 3-s).
The news brought by the Wise Men
struck terror to HerOls heart. liz
WAS not alone In this. for all Jerusalem
was troubled with him. The news
ought TO have brought 10Y. A glimpse
at the social customs In and about
Jerusalem ut that day will enable M
TO understand why this news brought
uneasIness TO the people. They wers
living In the greatest luxury. Flns
dresses. Kuinptuous fcnsts, fine houses.
etc. led to gross innhOrM,ities. They
did not want Savior who would
save them from their xins--tl.ey
wanted to continue In them. llerOti
demanded of the priests nn,i scrih.s
Information M to where Christ should
he horn. They noon were able 10 tell
him. These people had n technical
knowledge Of the Scriptures. hut had
nO heart for the Savior srt forth,
therein. They hnd M disposition to
seek Him. This all occurred IN Jeru.
salem. the city " the Kins--thr piacs
Of all places wl.sre lie should have
been welcomed. II s~esns where the
greatest privileges are. thsre 10 ths
greatest Indifference shown ~ to
spiritual matters.
~. The King Found wv. 0.l2).
The Wise Men having obtained tho de-.
sired information. started Immediately
10 md the King. Az sOOn a. they left
the city. the star which had guided
them from the Fast appeared again
To lead them on. Not that Il had
disappeared from the sky. hut tho
dwellings of the city. no doubt. shut
out the sight Of II. Oftsntimes Our
spiritual vision IL Obacured Or hidden
by tl~ things N this world. The star
guided them 10 the place where the
Christ wRs. Those WIN earnestly
week Jesus shall md Him. though all
hell oppose. When they found Him
they w"rshlp~d Him. In this they
displayed true faith. They did NOT
~~ any miracles. only u babe. yet
they worshiped Him M King "Islcss.si
hre they thnf have not seen. and yet
have believed" tJohn 2O:2W. Motto
Gods "yerruling providence In nil
this. Mnny hundred years before. thu
prophet snid TINT Christ should come
from Bethlehem tMicnh 5:2). God ~
ordered AFFAIRS That Mnry should bc
brought to that city To give birth 10
Christ. God sO ordered Tint these
men should depart another wny. there.
by defeating Ii"rod's wicked purpose.
The Lord put gifis into the hands Of
Joseph nnd Mary before going 10
Egypt, Doubtless this served u goDi
purpose In meeting their expenses dur.
ing their stny there. Truly IAN things
work together for good 10 them that
love God" (IlOfn. S:2S).