Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-25
The Kingdom of Christ
by j. A. Eubnnk.

And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He
shall save His people from their sins
Matthew i:2l
The expectation OF the birth of a child in
home, especially the first born. cxcites n
lively degree OF interest in every family and
ordinarily induces measure of preparation
for the momentous occasion that reflects tho
unreasonable depths or parental love that Is
to surround the future OF the prospective child.
Nothing that love suggest in tho way of
preparation for the comfort and welfare OF
the eXpectant heir Is left undone for It Is
to be the Joy of the home in all tho coming
years.
While in n certain every child born
into the world belongs TO the nation and. II
trained Alright. will contribute to humanity's
bettcrmcnt the birth OF Jesus not an
event to be looked forward TO with Joy by
the one family alone-IIe was the Hope OF all
Israel and the nation had been in training
ior 2,0OO years for His coming. YEA the prom
Use even reached back to the Garden of Eden.
where the serpent was warned that the seed
of the woman should bruse his head.
This Child OF the Promise to gave His
pcople from their sins What a wonderful
undertaking! To save the people from their
sins. When reflect that It is through
sin that all the sickness, the sorrow and tho
suffering that affiicts the world has come and
continues with us, ought to be able to
form some idea to what the birth of Jesus
meant to those who intellGently Interpreted
the promise. No wonder heaven celebrated
the event by sending down n convoy OF angels
TO the hills OF Judea with the glad anthem:
GLORY to God in the highest. and on earth
peace good Will toward men,
Yet how small n fraction of Israel, after
twenty centuries OF training, ready to
welcome His coming. Sin had bound them
with tho letters OF Ignorance and unbclicf
that they did not know their Savior when He
appeared in their midst and the very stars OF
1 oil e1 tn, oil tha fnln
OF the prophecy Of the ages
So when the light Of day first broke upon
the eyes OF tho Infant Child 1t was amid sur
roundngs as humble as ever envfroned the
most poverty-strickcn OF humanitys children;
"And she brought forth her hrst-born Son.
and wrapped Him i'm swaddling clothes ana
laid Him In n manager" Why such surround
ings for the birthplace OF Him of Whom the
angel of the Lord said unto tho shepherds
in the field Behold bring you good tidinss
OF great joy. which shall he to all people?"
Hear the answer: because there was no
room for them in tho inn.'
mt lust old Simeon, who had been waiting
in hope for the consolation of Israel knew
tho Child and OWNED the character OF HIS
mission when in the fullness of his JOY ne
cried out: Lord, now lcttest Thou Thy ser
want depart in peace according to Thy word:
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which
Thou hast prepared before the face of all peo-
ple; light to tighten the Gentilcs and the
glory OF Thy people Israel"
II the world would only accept Smeon's
conception OF the mission OF Jesus: "a light
| to tighten the Gentilcs. and the glory of Thy
people Israel" think ye not that 1t would
hasten the coming OF the time when He shall
announce to the Father that all enemies hath
been put under Ills feet, when shall be
! brought to pass the saying that is written
| Death is swallowed up In victory. o death
| whore is thy sting? o grave. where Is thy
| victory"
Isaiah understood His nature when more
| than centuries before His birth he
| prophcsed OF Him: with righteousness shall
| He judge the poor. and rcprove with equity
| the meek of the earth. And Righteousness
shall be the girdle OF His loins and faithful
| ness the Grdle OF His reins."
With Christ in US. we may each help forward
| His Kingdom, for the promise is: IF man
| love Me. no will keep My words: and My
! Father will love him. and We will come unto
| Him, and mako our abode with him."
| Christmas occasion--the period set apart In
| the calendar for all the nations OF tho earth
! to commemorate His nntivity-each OF us
| search hearts and II We like Him,
| arc trying, with righteousness to Judge the
| poor. and to help tho meek OF the earth with
! equity. II Christ indeed he in us, and in
| Him. we will find way to be like Him. and
| this means that much sunshine Will be car
| rled into individual hearts and humble homes
In Richmond during the holidays by those who
love their fellow-men.