The Coolidge examiner., 1943-12-24
CHILD HAILED
AS REDEEMER
FOR MANKIND
Divine Birth Claimed For
Baby Born In Judea


as the infant Son of God and the
promised Redeemer, a child named
Jesus was born here last night in
a rude stable, his coming accom-
panied by bright star in the sky
and proclaimed by angels as the
glorious fuIfilIment of an ancient
prophecy.
First to learn of the event, which
may change the religious beliefs of
the entire world, were Judean
shepherds tending their flocks
near the stable where today the
child lies Graded in manger and
guarded by his mother, Mary,
and her spouse, Joseph.
Angels Reported
"Fear not" the shepherds report
ed an angel as saying, "for behold
bring you tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day in the
City of David, a Savior, which is
Christ the Lord"
AS the Angel directed them to-
ward the stable, they said, multi
tude of heavenly spirits suddenly
appeared singing, GLORY to God
in the highest, and on earth peace
and good will toward men!"
The shepherds found the child
wrapped in swaddling cloths and
knelt beside him, praising God.
Then they left to make known
that the words of the prophets had
come to pass.
Promise Made
According to Hebrew belief, the
promise of a Redeemer was first
made to Adam and has been re-
newed to mankind through utter
ances of patriarchs and prophets.
1t was recalled today that the
Prophet Michaeas had predicted
the Redeemer would be born in
Bethlehem, but would be known as
a Nazarene.
1t was also recalled that the
Prophet Isaiah declared: God
Himself will come and will save
you. Then shall the eyes of the
blind be opened and the ears of the
deaf shall be unstopped. Then
shall the lame man leap as hart,
and the tongue of the dumb shall
be free"
Wonder-Worker?
This was interpreted today to
mean that the newborn child, If he
be 'truIy the Redeemer, shall be-
come famous as a wonder-worker
with the power to suspend natural
laws.
Priests and scribes of this city
are wondering if the birth of
Christ signifies the end of the old
dispensation and the beginning Of
a new. They are asking. eff this
be the Redeemer, why was he born
in a cowshed? If he be a king,
where is his army?" They dis
counted reports of the shepherds
actually having seen heavenly ang-
els.
Many, however, believe that the
ancient prophecy has come to
pass. They are hoping the Child
will become a powerful kind to
throw off the oppressive yoke of
the Roman conquerors.
Royal Background
While the child's mother is the
daughter of humble folk, it was
pointed out that her husband is de-
scended from the psaImist, King
David.
Nine months ago, Mary recalled
today, an angel appeared to her in
the quietness of her chamber, sa-
luting her with the words, Hail,
full of grace, the Lord is with thee,
blessed art thou among women"
She was told, she said, that she
should conceive a son to be called
Jesus. To her question, "How
shall this be, seeing I know not a
man." the angel, she declared, re-
piled, "The Holy Spirit shall come
upon thee and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee:
therefore also that holy thing
which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God"
No Lodging
When her time was nearly come
Governor Cyrenious of Syria order
ed all inhabitants to be enrolled In
Bethlehem under the new taxation
plan inaugurated by Caesar Au
gustus. So Mary and Joseph left
their home in Nazareth, Galilee
but upon arriving in Bethlehem
could find no lodging at the inn
nor at any house. Hence a stable
became the birthplace of the
Christ child.
The ass and the OK and the cal
whose images have been wor
SHIPPED in earlier times-were there
in the stable.
And, so today in Bethlehem
child was born, Shepherds brougn
him a lamb, and to Mary gave
milk and cheese. Time will tel
whether her issue is to be anothe
false prophet or the promised
"Son of God, of whose kingdom