The Dolores star., 1921-12-16
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SllnndaySchool. 2
:. ' LESSON
Ds REV. r B. FITZwATEK n N
tu, cher OF English Bible In the Moody
h'oie Institute Of ChicagoJ
oopyrsh'' 1921, Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR DECEMBER rs
CHRISTMAS LEssoN-THe VISIT
OF THE WISE MEN

WEN.
LESSON TEXT-Matt 2l-1Z
poLphN TEST-And when they had
opened their treasures they pressntad
uh'o MIN gifts: gold and frankincen.s
and Inyrrh.-Matt 2:Il.
PRIMARY ToPIC-wise Men Visit The
| Baby Jesus. ''e
JUNIOR ToPIC-The Wise Men and
| the Star ""4
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The First Christmas
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND Adult -r1pIC
The Most Joyous Day in the Year
]. The King Earnestly Sought wv.
/. p.
These Wise Men who sought Jesus
were either Arabian or Persian as
trologers-students of the stars. The
appearance of an unusual star at
tracted tEeir attention. Perhaus
they We're acquainted with the famous
prophecy Of Balaam (Num. 24nO
Doubtless through the influence OF the
Jews who remained in ChaIdea, or the
direct influence Of Daniel extending
to this time, they had become ac.
quainted with the hope Of Messiah.
| The Hight they had was dim. but they
'iNed up to the best they had. To
those who act upon the best light
they have, God always gives more.
| i" those who refuse to act upon the
| knowledge given, God not only re.
fuses To give more, but brings into
confusion that which they already
possess (Matt % :2S). These men
were really wise. Let us learn from
them:
!. That all true wisdom leads To
the Savior, for He is the Logus-the
| fulnCss Of wisdom.
>. That Gods Word shall not return
unto him void lisa. 55:l). The seeds
east upon the waters of the East
brought forth fruit after many days.
No work done for the Lord eventually
falls.
3. The grace of God calls men from
unexpected quarters. Some who have
the least opportunities give the great
est huuors to Christ while others,
blessed with the richest opportunities
shut Him out.
II. Herod Seeking to XIII the King
wv. 3-S).
The news brought by the Wise Men
struck terror to HerOd's heart. He
was not alone in this, FOR all Jerusalem
was troubled with him. The news
ought 10 have brought Joy \ glimpse
at the social customs in and about
Jerusalem ut that day will enable us
to understand why this news brought
uncasiness to The people. They were
living in the greatest luxury. Fine
dresses. sumptuous fcnsts, fine houses,
etc, led TO gross ilnmoralities. They
did not want Savior who would
save Them from their sms-they
wanted 10 continue in them. lIerod
demanded Of the priests and scribes
information as to where Christ should
be born. They soon We're able to tell
him. These people had II technical
knowledge of the Scriptures, but had
no heart for the Savior set forth
therein. They had no disposition TO
seek Him. This all occurred in Ieru.
salem. the city of the king-the place
| of all places where lie should have
been welcomed. 1t seems where the
greatest privileges are, there is the
greatest indifference shown as TO
spiritual matters.
m. The King Found wv. 9-12).
The Wise Men having obtained the de-
sired information, started immediately
| to find the King. AS soon as they left
the city, the star which had guided
| them from the East appeared again
10 lead them ON. Not that 1t had
| djsappeared from the sky, but the
dwellings of the city, no doubt smut
| out the sight of 1t. Oftentiines our
spiritual vision is obscured or hidden
by the things of this world. The star
guided them to the place where the
| Christ WAS. Those who earnestly
sock Jesus shall find Him, though all
he'll oppose. When they found him
they worshiped Him. In this they
displaved true faith. They did not
see nny miracles, only babe YET
they worshiped Him ms King. blessed
.re they that have not seen. and YET
have believed" (John 2o:2O. Note
Gods overriding providence In all
this. Many hundred years before, the
prophet said that Christ should come
from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God so
ordered affairs that Mary should he
brought to that city 10 give birth 10
Christ. God 50 ordered That these
men should depart another way there-
Inv defeating Herod's wicked purpose.
The Lord put gifts into the hands OF
Joseph and Mary before gong 10
Epypt. Doubtless this served a so"i
nurrose in meeting their expenses dur-
ing their stay there. Truly "Aii 'hii'ss
work together for good TO them ti"'
,oya Cod" (ROm. S:2S).
Defeating the Wall of Jerusalem.
And nj the dedication of the Waii Oh
Jerusalem they sought the LeNiteS out