Evening star., 1921-12-24
unce1nents Of Church News Activities and Services
Sunday School Lesson

whose star they had seen in the east.
heavens has been a difficult problem
for Bible students and scientists to
solve. The two best solutions that
appear to meet the case, are nrst tnat
advanced by distinguished astrono-
mers like KepIer. Enke. and Pritch-
ard, who have proved that there was
conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
at about the time Of the birth or
Christ, and the other theory that
they were guided by the manifesto
ton of a miraculous heavenly light.
Astronomy is against the first theor!,
although there is Chinese asfronom-
ical record of an evanescent star be-
cause the two planets, which ap-
during 747 AUG, and in the year
following were Joined by Mars, would
not appear as one. The last view
introduces miracle without any
laam had predicted the coming forth
of star out of Jacob. Jesus claimed
that He was the bright and morning
star.
Herod was alarmed by the news of
a new claimant to the throne. he
was not of the royal line of judah.
He knew that the Pharisees and popu-
lace would welcome an opportunity
to remove him. He feared personal OPP
position. Christs birth was menace
to the willy, sinful and hypocritical
old tyrant. He was troubled. Jeru-
salem was filled with fear for other
reasons: The king sent for the wise
men. who in Egypt and Babylon were
and pretended to be deeply interested
in their mission. He called a confer
ence of Jewish scholars and with dia-
bo)ical diplomacy asked them "Where
Christ should be born They PROB
ably had heard something concerning
the strange rumors flying around con-
cerning the Child of Bethlehem, and
one member of that council couin
probably have told of his own fathers
mysterious prophecy concerning the
coming Messiah. but they reported
only that according to the prophets
Bethlehem was the place where the
Messiah should be born.
The INSCRIPTIONS and numerous
Herod gave the wise men directions
based upon Gods word. with the re-
quest that they report to him the re-
suit of their investigations. SO that
he might also worship the newly born
King They followed the directions
Of the Scriptures by starting that
evening for Bethlehem, which 1s To-
Gated about six miles from Jerusalem.
They had not gone far on their jour
ney before they reached the wayside
we'll at which. tradition says, theg
stopped to drink. 1t was while drink
| ing that they saw reflected in the
| water of the well ''the star which
| they saw in the east. 1t went before
them, guiding them to the & obscure re
| "the young child with Mary His
mother" BY following the light OF
Scripture and science they found the
new-b King. whom they wor-
SHIPPED with their gifts.
The wise men revealed their WISDOM
| by their insight into the character OF
| the child whom they found Graded IN
, poverty They had come seeking king
They had proven that they were men
of faith by following the revelation OF
i the skyand the Scriptures. the informa-
| ton of science and scribes. but they oio
not hesitate moment. because tne
environment Of the Bethlehem home did
not suggest royalty or that He was the
! son of the Highest. from wroshiplns n.,
the young child as their king. Following
the oriental custom, they presented siftS
! in token of their subjection ana loyal
allegiance to the Child-kng. Three dit-
| ferpnt acts are mentioned in connection
| with their worship, the prostrated
| bodies. the spiritual alteration and the
material gifts. Upham suggests that
| their goods, which were the most val
| liable product of the east. possessed a
sym bolical mea ming. of mErrh TO NOR
/ tai gold to king, and frankincense I"
| God" Others find in gold an emblem
| of His nature. franklncense of the ira
GRANGE of His life, and the mErrh 10
annoint Him for burial. Their generous
gifts prODaDly provided loi the iiP -
Egypt, which following the directions Of
q dream Joseph took that night to save
the Young child's life. The wise men,
warned by the Lord in similar man
| ner, departed to their home in differ.
enr way. rejoicing that they had found
! the newborn King.
| Joy marked their worship. II is char
! acteristic of Christianity. Christmas is
more than day of recording the great
est event in history. 1t should re-
! call to us that He is being born today
| in the hearts and lives of those who are
! willing TO receive Him. 1t is only as He
! is recognized as being present III the
| life of men and nations by obedience In
! His authority as ruler OF all lie that
peace becomes a personal possession.
Those who resist His authority are
broken with a rod of iron. Nations that
defy His laws are dashed into pieces
, like a potter's vessel. Herod desired 10
! destroy the young Kings life and died
| in a few months. The nation that Will
not serve Him will perish. Only those
! who have a personal experience OF His
presence with them enjoy the spirit of
Christmas. The day that Christ is born
! in us will fill US with the JOY of His
presence and power, as the Lord OF
Lords, and King Of Kings. to save all
| mankind. Before one seeks to worship
our Lord like the wise men. with our
| best gifts, unless already born again,
one ought to pray:
o holy child of Bethlehem,
Descend on US. we pray;
| Cast out our sin, and enter in.