The Republican., 1945-12-20


Christmas again Yes, and it's
going to be a joyful Christmas this
year, isn't it? Let's not miss a sin
gle bit of the joy and gladness of
the season. Let's observe all the
precious customs and traditions.
Let's share in the pleasantness and
the laughter. Some may have to
do it with a sense of sadness hidden
in their hearts, but even they will
join us in really keeping Christmas
this year.
But don't forget to keep Christ in
your Christmas this year as never
before, We who know Him should
realize how much the world needs
Him. We should see in the months
just ahead our greatest opportunity
to make Him known.
Our lesson topic is 'The Message
Of Christmas to the World" What
is that message? Here it is:
|. Make Room for Jesus. Wv. 10.
1T came to pass yes, it always
does when God has given His prom
ise. For seven centuries God had
said, He is coming" and then He
came. God rules the affairs of this
world even though thoughtless and
unbelieving men not only grieve
Him, but often defy Him.
Jesus came-but He came to a
manger, because there was no
room for him in the inn" Is it not
the same today? There is no room
for Him now in the hearts of most
men. Is He wanted in our places
of business, in our governmental Of
fees, in our social gatherings?
Remember, it was not because
they hated Him that there was no
room. 1t was just that they were
"preoccupied." That is the trouble
in mems hearts today. They should
have made room in the inn for Jesus
even though everyone and every
thing else must be turned out, and
we should make room for Him no
matter what else or who else must
go. They would have made room
for Jesus had they known who He
was. We do know, and yet we do
not make room Why not? Ger.
17:9; John 1924; Rom. 3D."
(John W. Bradbury.
That is the message of Christ
mas! Make room in your heart, in
your life and in your home for Jesus!-
Then go quickly and
III. Tell Otl:ers About Jesus! wv. g.
12).
The religious leaders slept soundlv
the night Jesus was born. They
knew the prophecies Of His coming,
but they were not looking for Him.
Perchance some Of them slept in
the very inn where He could not be
received.
But the shepherds were awake.
They knew that something unbeiiev-
ably great had happened, for the
heavens were ablaze with celestial
glory.
AT first they were afraid, but they
We're soon comforted by the words
Fear not" How characteristic that
message is of The whole gospel tes-
tlmony. Fear not, there is saliva
ton; Jesus has come to seek and to
save the lost.
But be sure to note that such
message is not just for ones per
sonal joy and encouragement; it is
for all people" ". 10). The shep-
herds realized that and the verses
following our lesson tell us that
they made known" what they had
seen wv. 17-20).
How great that need is today!
After all these centuries since Jesus
came there are still multitudes of
people on this earth who have never
heard about our Saviour. There are
children who would ordinarily have
been IN church and Sunday school
who, because of the war, have
grown up in heather darkness.
Others there are who have heard
but have not responded, and we
must go to them once more this
Christmas and tell them that "a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord
was born in Bethlehem.
Make room for Jesus, and then
make Him known to others. That
will lead you to
iii. Praise God for Jesus wv. 49,
14).
The angels could hardly wait with
their praise. Suddenly" a multi
tude of the heavenly host appeared,
praising God for the blessed mes
sage of peace and good will.
The Christian life is quite incom-
plete and unbalanced if it does not
include much praise. The Lord
is worthy of all the praise Of every
believing heart this Christmas Day!
The writer Of these notes extends
to you the heartiest of good wishes
at this glad Christmas season. He
pleads with you if you are not a
Christian, make room for the Sa-
Vlour in your heart! Then, let us all
make Him known everywhere. TO
the praise and glory of His name.
1t would please the one who pre-
pares these notes to have a word
from his friends everywhere, assur-
ing him of their interest and
prayers. Just a postcard will do.
The address is at the head of the
column. Don't expect reply, but
be assured that he viii pray for YOU.