The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-12-22
THE GROUND OF UNIVERSAL
JOY

LESSON TEXT-Luke 2:8-12: Hebrews Ill
4; John lila.
GOLDEN TEXT-Behold, bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
the people.-Luke 2:10.
What would you like for Christ
mas? Could anything be better than
to find for your heart and mind that
spiritual safety, certainty, and joy
which transforms life? Well, that is
exactly what Jesus came to bring
mankind. 1t was the first Christmas
gift, and it is the best gift this year
too.
I. Safety duke 2:8-12).
Men need deliverance from their
sin. They needed it when Christ
came. They need it today. They
must have a safe refuge, one in
which they may rest secure.
All the efforts of this world to
meet mans need are vain. AS Jo-
seph Parker put it: "The world did
not want an adviser. The world had
advised itself almost into hell. The
world did not ask for specu-
lator. Everything that man could
do had been done, and men sat in
the darkness of their own wisdom.
The world did not want reformer,
a man who could change his out
ward and transient relations, an en-
gineer that would continually de-
vote his time to the readjustment Of
the wheels and the pulleys and the
various mechanical forces of soci-
ETY.. The world wanted saviour"
Jesus came as Saviour. The good
tidings revealed to the faithful shep-
herds were to be "of great joy to
all people" because they presented
the One who could bring them re-
demption from sin.
That revelation is ready to be
made again this Christmas, and as
it came to the shepherds at their
work in the field, so it may come
to you on the battlefield, in camp, in
the air, under the sea, in the kitchen,
the factory-yes, anywhere. We
rightly 60 to our churches to wor-
ship on Christmas Day, but let us
remember that Christ is every
where, seeking each one - yes,
knocking at your door. Will you let
Him in? Then you will have Christ
mas indeedl
III. Certainty (Heb. 1:1-4).
God has spoken through the CEN
turtles in the messages of many faith
full servants. We do well to give
heed to Gods Word through them.
But after all they were only serv-
ants. This message of redemption
is so vital and fundamental that God
sent His Son, Himself the Redeemer,
to declare it.
How final, and definite, and bless
ed is that truth. The heir of all the
eternal glories of God the Father,
and Himself the effulgence Cor the
flashing forth) of the glory of God,
has spoken Gods last word-His
certain word = about redemption
from sin.
We all know how full of uncertain
ty the world is, how our own minds
are distressed by the very uncer-
tainty of countless things about us.
What precious gift from God to
realize anew the absolute certainty
we have in Christ. He came to
save, to satisfy, and to keep us.
Note that He has all the needed
authority and power to carry out
His loving purpose wv. 8, ~. He
who "made publication of sins" for
us to believe, is divine. He has all
power. He is glorious beyond our
ability to describe. He is God. We
can rest in perfect assurance in His
redemption.
III. Enjoyment Il John 1:14).
God knew the need of man for
real joy if life was to be pleasant
and profitable. Being a Christian
was never intended to be somber,
doleful business. No, indeed. "These
things we WRITE" says John, "that
our joy may be made full"
What did he write? By inspira-
ton of the Holy Spirit he wrote of
Christ, ''the Word of life." He had
seen and known Him, the Redeem
er. He had fine and uplifting fellow
ship with Him, and declares that we
too las believers) share in that fell
lowship.
One of the bright and gladstone
things about the Christmas season
is our fellowship with our family
and friends. It brightens the whole
holiday season. How much more
delightful is the fact that we have
fellowship with the Father and with
his Son, Jesus Christ"
That fact really "makes" Christ
mas! Many will be separated from
family and friends this year, but
Christ is there, and they may have
this most precious of all friends with
them. The empty place around the
family table will be filed (if we
wish) by the Lord Himself. Let's
keep Christmas with Him as the I'M
seen but nonetheless real Guest. In
fact, let us do even more than that,
let us count Him into the intimats
fellowship of our family circle (ant
two can make such circle). That
is what He wants to be-to you an