The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-12-22
!. The Birth of Jesus wv. Id.
L His birth foretold.

Good Will.
!. The Birth of Jesus wv. I'D. ,
I. His birth foretold.
a. Predicted by Micah (Micah 5:2).
The prophet Micah foretold the birth
Of the Messiah some seven hundred
years before. There seemed little like
hhood that this prophecy would be full
filled even shortly before it took place.
Jesus mother was miles away
in Nazareth in Galilee. God moved
upon the Roman emperor to enforce
the decree of taxation which brought
Mary to Bethlehem at the proper
time.
b. His birth predicted by Gabriel
uuke 1 :2G-3S). Gabriel, the archangel,
was sent by God to the little town Of
Nazareth to Mary, Jewish maiden.
who was betrothed to carpenter by
the name of Joseph, solemnly an
n0unced to her that she should give
birth to the Messiah and that this Son
should not be Joseph's but the child
Of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 1:1S-2D.
This was in fulfillment of Isaiah TIA.
Though at first perplexed. Mary ac-
cepted the announcement with re-
markable courage and devotion. To
be told that she was to be q mother
was nothing startling, for this was a
normal desire of every married Jewish
woman. However, under the circum-
stances she accepted motherhood at q
tremendous cost. She was conscious
Of her virgin purity. She knew that
to become a mother under such cir
cumstances would expose her to I'M
utterable suspicion and shame. Later
the angel of the Lord appeared to Jo-
seph also making to him the same
announcement and added that the
child should be called Jesus Matt.
1:21). The virgin birth was contrary
to Jewish thought and expectation;
therefore, it could not have been in
vented by them.
2. The prediction fulfilled (vv. ~.
Christ's birth took place at a most
opportune time. 1t occurred when all
systems of religious worship were tot
tering upon their foundations. The
whole world being under the power Of
Rome made it possible for Christ's
ministers to go from city to city and
from country to country unmolested.
II. Jesus Birth Announced to tho
Shepherds wv. S-14).
This was the first Christmas service.
I. To whom the announcement was
made ". 81. His birth was announced
to the shepherds who were keeping
watch over their flocks by night. Their
humble state in life and their being
busy with common duties did not pre-
vent them from hearing this glorious
message from God. Moses, Gideon,
Amos, and Elisha were all called of
God from the activities of life.
2. By whom the announcement was
made ". 81. The first gospel sermon
was preached by an angel of the Lord.
We thus see these holy beings inter
ested in men, and having part in the
announcement of Gods plan for their
salvation.
8. The nature of the message wv.
1914. 1t was good tidings of great
Joy" The darkness Of heathendom
was beginning to vanish. The cast
ing out of Satan, the prince of this
world, was about to take place. Lib
erty was soon to be proclaimed to
those in bondage. The way of saliva
ton was to be offered to all. No
longer was the knowledge of God to he
confined to the Jews, but offered to
the whole world. So glorious was this
news that a multitude of the heavenly
host accompanied 1t with songs of
praise.
IIl. The Shepherds Investigating
lvv. Is, 16).
They did not stop to argue or raise
questions, though these things were,
no doubt, strange to them. They went
Immediately to Bethlehem where they
found everything as reported. Here
they had the privilege of first gazing
upon the wondrous Savior. the very
Lord of glory. They returned with
gratitude in their hearts, praising God
for all these wonderful things which
he had revealed into them.
~. The Shepherds Witnessing
wv. 1920.
When they beheld the Lord of glory
they could not remain silent; there,
fore. they went back praising God.
Those who receive this gospel into
their hearts must tell it out to others.