The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-12-24
Sunday School Lesson for De-

q T OF CuElSlllldS LAY uO olol 10
more appropriate than tnat Of the
Wise Mems visit to the Babe, of
Bethlehem. Their visit was first
matter of international concern:
1t showed the, general expectation
| that a world ruler was to arise
among the Jews; and it, nightly
stirred Herod the king and his
capital. But its spiritual aspects
supersede all else: Prophecy was
/ fulfilled; the star guided; the
: Magi worshiped and sacrificed;
and the divine dream led them di-
. rectly home. .'.
SEEKING THE SAVIOUR
(Matt. 2:1-S)
From the East to jerusalem
came the Wise Men seeking the
Saviour. The family was living
not in the stable where Jesus was
born but in "a house." probably
expecting to make their home in
Bethlehem, which was six miles
south of Jerusalem and a city
with sacred memories of David,
Ruth, and Rachel. 90. :.
The Wise Men were not kings
but more than astronomers OF as
trologers; they were very learn
ed and they must have been de-
vout. They shared the view that
a great, deliverer was to rise and
right all the wrongs of the world.
With this hope flaming in their
hearts they scanned the heavens
for guidance. At last they dis
cerned "his star"-possibly plane
tary conjunction or comet or ig-
milton Of dead worlds by COLI
sion, but certainly a miracle -
and they determined to follow its
leading. So from their homes in
the East-Babylon or farther,
and from one city or different
countries-they made the long
overland journey to Jerusalem.
Their inquiry upon arrival was
enough to exicte general interest.
The king of the Jews, now babe
in some mothers arms, his star
calling them out of the East, their
tedious trip made to do him hon.
age-where is his birthplace? The
capital ought to know. But Her
cd the Great was on the throne,
yassal king under Rome. An
Idumean, politician strong but ,
sinister, vigorous but excessively
wicked, 'he,could brook no thought
of a rival, ...:.y -. r, > 49,.
He called the Sanhedrin togeth-
er and learned from them that
the expected Messiah should be
born in Bethlehem. Then he pri-
vately summoned the Wise Men
and learned from them when the
star appeared. He thus knew the
time and place of Jesus birth,
two important items, basing his
cruel order for the, massacre of
the children a little later. But TO
be sure that the alleged claimant
to his throne, should not escape,
Herod commanded the Wise, Men
to search concerning the child
and report to him. -,
SEEKING THE SAVIOUR 5rMGl
(Mstt. 2:9-lD -.
From Jerusalem to Bethlehem
went the Wise Men to reach their
goal of seeing the Saviour, They
Travelled by night the six miles
to- Bethlehem, the star reappear-
ing to their great joy and guild
ing them directly to Jesus. WITH
out moments delay they went
into the house of Joseph and
Mary, saw the Babe and his moth
er, fell down in more than for
NAL homage and worshiped Jesus,
pouring out at his feet their gold
and frankincense and myrrh.
Pause here for moment Of
meditation. .. - -
% Consider Christ and Wis
dom. To him came the Wise Men
from the East. At his feet they
bowed in reverence and worship.
He is the source and center of
all wisdom. III
(2) Consider Christ and Wealth.
That was a beautiful thing for
the Wise Men to do, But it was
the right thing. Jesus deserves
not only our best but our all.
Withhold from him not a mite of
our money, nor a strand. of our
strength, nor moment of our,
time. ~. AN
~ Consider Christ and Wor-
shin When the rich princes Of the
East fell in adoring worship at
the feet of the infant Christ,
there was nothing incongruous
about the reverential act. He was
not only King of the Jews but
also Sovereign Of the universe.
Before him every knee shall bow.
SERVING THE SAVIOUR
(Matt. 2:12)Is-. -.sS -. = III,
From Bethlehem to .. the East
returned the Wise Men serving
the Saviour. 'Herod the king had
demanded that they come back to
Jerusalem and report to him, But
God warned them in a dream that
they should not, do so. They heed
ed the divine word and returned
to their own country another
way" possibly southwark around
the, Dead Sea and thence eastward
| to the valley of tho Euphrates. |
Thus the>Babe of Bethlehem
was mightier than the monarch at
Jerusalem; the Wise Men e2er-
cised their highest wisdom in com
ing out of the East to worship at
the feet of the infant Christ; and
now all men everywhere may re-
joice, and respond to Gods great
love in the gift of his only begot-
ten Son as our Saviour and Lord.
GOLD IN THE GOLDEN TEXT
For God SO loved the world