The Glenwood post., 1924-07-03
Lesson for July 8
THE BIRTH or JESUS

LESSON TDXT-Luke 1910.
GOLDEN TExT-"For unto you Il
born this day In the city Of David :
Savior which II Christ the Lord
! PHIMAaY ToP1cLrhs Baby Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC What the 1hepherds
Saw and Heard,
INTERNEDIATn AND SENIOR TOP
IC@The 0featest Event In the World's
YouNo PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Great Hopes Csntsred In the Birth Of
Christ
!. Jssus Birth Forsteld (Micah b:2).
This prediction was made some roo
years before. God moved the emperor
TO enforce the decree Of taxation lust
In time to cause Mary to be at Bethle-
hem. a
u. Jssus' BIrth Anneunesd to Mary
and Joseph Nuke 1:2e-sa).
The mighty archanxel Gabriel was
sent BY God to the little town of Nax-
areth to Mary, q Jewish maiden, who
was bstrothed to a carpenter Of that
village BY the name Of Joseph, solemn.
y announcing that she should xive
birth to the Messiah and that this BON
should not be Joseph's SON but should
BE- the child Of the Holy Ghost (Matt.
1:1S-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. 4:
2D.
III. Ths Prediction Fulfilled ", u,
This took place at 4 most propitious
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 tottering
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
Christ's ministers to 60 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 At His
birth were Of humble sort. The
Eternal God condescended to be in.
corporated with humanity-to be born
In a manger. becoming the poorest Of
the poor that none might be hindered
In coming unto Him.
w. Ch-lst's Birth Announced wv. A.
14).
l. By Whom1 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 and had part in the announce
ment Of Gods plan Of salvation.
e, 2. To Whomi His birth was an
nounced to the shepherds who were
keeping watch over their fiocks BY
night. The fact that the glorious Cos
pei message was first sounded forth
to them shows that poverty is no bar
rier to its reception. God does not
reveal Himself primarily to the princes
and great men Of the earth, but often.
times conceals from such and dIscloses
to the poor. (James 2:5).
g. The Nature Of the Message. II
was good tIdings Of great Joy. II
was good tidings because the darkness
of heathendom. which had 10 long4ov.
cred the earth, was beginning to van.
ish. The casting out OF Satan, the
prince Of this world, was about to
take place. Liberty was soon to be
proclaimed to those who were in bond.
age. The way Of salvation was to be
open to all. No longer was the knowl.
edge OF God to be confined to the
jews, but offered to the whole world
Glorious news this. SO glorious, that
q multitude of the heavenly host &c.
companied this announcement with
their song Of praihe. Thus We see that
the drst Gospel sermon war in the
open air. The minister was the angel
Of God the choir were the angels the
audience made up Of humble shepherds.
v. The Shepherds Investigating (vv
Is. 1e).
They did not stop to argue or raise
questions, though these. things were
no doubt passing strange to them.
They went Immediately to Bethlehem,
where they made an investigation and
found everything just as represented.
They had the privilege Of first gazing
upon the worlds Savior, the very
Lord Of glory. They returned with
gratitude In their hearts. praisIng God
for all those wonderful things which
He had revealed unto them. :
vi. The Shepherds witnessing (yv.
17-20).
. They found thinga as announced.
When they beheld the Lord of glory
they could not remain silent. There.
fore. they went back praising God.
Those who really hear the Gospel
message cannot be silent II they
really hear they must tell It out to
others.