The Dolores star., 1924-07-04
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SuandaySchool 2
' Lesson '
CBy REV r. Il. FITZwATER pp. pes
1t the Evening school, Moody bibis IN
stitute Of ChieagoD
90. Issa. western Newspaper unionb
Lesson for July 6
THE BIRTH OF JESUS

l
| LESSON TEXT-Luke .:7-2o.
| GOLDEN TENT-'For unto You IL
| born this day In the city OF David
| Savior which is Christ the Lord
| Luke 2:1l.
PRIMARY ToPIC-The Baby Jesus.
| JUNIOR TOPIC What the shepherds
| Saw and Heard.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
| IC-The Greatest Event In the Worids
| History.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Great Hopes Centered In the Birth OF
| Christ
I. Jesus Birth ForetoId tMicah 5 ~.
This prediction was made some 100
years before. God moved the emperor
| to enforce the decree Of taxation just
IN time 10 cause Mary TO be at Bethle-
| hem.
II. Jesus Birth Announced to Mary
and Joseph duke :2G-3S).
The mighty archangcl Gabriel wns
sent by God TO the little town of Naz-
areth to Mary, Jewish maiden, who
| was betrothed to n carpenter of that
village by the name of Joseph. solemn
ly announcing that she should give
| birth 10 the Messiah and that this son
should not be JOseph's son but should
be the child Of the Holy Ghost (Matt.
1:lS-2D. Later the angel of the Lord
| appeared TO Joseph also, making the
| same announcement TO him, and added
| that the child should be called Jesus.
which means that Jehovah will save
| His people from their sins (Matt. /:
2D.
III. Tbs Prediction Fulfilled tv. y.
This took place at most propitlous
| time. The Jews were under the power
| of the Romans. Not only did the birth
of Christ occur when all systems of
religion and morality were totterlng
| upon their foundations but at time
most suitable for the Introduction OF
the Gospel. The whole world being
| under one rule made 1t possible for
| Christs ministers TO go from city to
city and country TO country unmolest-
ed. The Almighty rules In the whole
| universe and is never behind In His
| administration.
The surroundings OF Christ Mt His
birth were Of a humble sort. The
| Eternal God condescended to be In.
corporated with humanlty-to be born
IN manger, becoming the poorest Of
the poor that none might be hndered
In coming unto Him.
". Ch-ist's Birth Announced wv. g.
| lD.
l. by Whom? The first Gospel ser.
mon was preached by an angel of the
| Lord. Thus we see that the exalted
ministers OF God were Interested In
men ana had part in the announce.
ment OF Gods plan of salvation.
?. To Whom? His birth was nm.
houhced to the shepherds who were
Keeping watch over their hocks by
hiGht. The fact that the glorious Cos
pei message was first sounded forth
10 them shows that poverty is no bar
rier TO Its reception. God does not
reveal Himself primarily to the princes
ana great men of the earth, but often.
times conceals from such and discIoses
10 the poor. (James $50.
3. The Nature OF the Message. II
was good tldings of great Joy. II
was good tldlngs because the darkness
OF heathendom, which had so long GOV.
ereu the earth, was beginning to van.
'Sil. lhe cnsting out of Satan. tho
prince or this world, was about 70
takc place. Liberty was soon to be
pfocillined TO those who were in bond
"Se. Inc way of salvation was TO be
open 10 all. No longer was the knowl.
edSe or God to be confined to tho
Jews. but offered to the whole world
GLORIOUS news this. So glorious thar
multitude Of the heavenly host nc.
coihpanled this announcement with
'heir song of praise. Thus we see that
the first Gospel sermon was +, ,,,a
"pei, ar. The minister was the angel
IT H"d' the choir were the angels. the
audience made up of humble Shepherds
". The Shepherds Investigating wv
10. 1G). WV
lhey did not stop to argue or ro,so
quest"hs. though these things were
no doubt passing strange to them
lhey went Immediately to Betbleben
""ere 'hey made nm investigation and
found everything just as represented
i"ey had the privilege OF first pazinc
upon the worlds Savior, the verv
Loru OF glory. They returned with
gratitude In their hearts, pralsing God
,or an those wonderful things which
he mad revealed unto them.
VI. The Shepherds Witnes,Ino fvr
1920. "s wv.
ihey found things MS announced
When they heheld the Lord Of gIorr
they could not remain silent IT.:
T% 1~re. they went bnck praisIng God
nose nose VINO really hear the Gospel
message cannot be silent. II tbev
rehly near they must tell 1t out tn