The Wrangell sentinel., 1952-12-26
B. the Rev Paul T Evans. B. D.
First Presbyter an Church
THE CHRISTMAS STORY

The Christmas Story is 50 familiar
to everyone that we may fail to
cath it's deep spiritual teachings.
So much has been made of tfellc-
tus esque shepherds. the wise men
coming with their gifts. and the
neat manger resplendent with light,
that we may become blind to the
scenes as they really were and deaf
to the real Christmas message.
The circumstances of overwhelm-
ing significance was that on the
night Christ was born, the heavens
opened and the birth of the Christ
Child was proclaimed by an angel
supported by the heavenly hosts
This account from Luke is not just
the beautiful picturesque story of
the coming into the world of one
more dear and appealing child. Hea-
ven was astir with excitement on
that night God himself let it be
known that His fun will for man.
kind was now being brought to pass
Heaven and earth met in those sac.
red hours.
The Christian Gospel is a SUPER
natural message. 1t has to do with
nothing less than mans salvation.
1t is not great human philosophy,
but a Gospel The Babe that was
born that night was not just hui
manity's leader, but humanity's Saw
Jour. The royal blood in His veins
was to impress upon the minds of
men that Christ is King. The shep-
herds were to remind us that in
Christ grown to maturity, we have
the Good Shepherd. The sheep,
meant for temple sacrifice, were to
call our attention to the tragic sit
uation of the cross. We believe that
Christ in his ministry performed a
threefold purpose . that of pro-
phet, priest, and king. On the first
Christmas night, all three Of these
elements were diyinely revealed and, |
what is more significant, diyinely
certified.
Rome corresponds to every earthly
power. which either defies or dis
regards Gods will. Human govern
ments today are still filled with
Rome's pride, tyranny and material
ism. The people of captive Isreat
who crowded the roads of Palestine,
hurrying to theid different villages
to be checked by the census-takers.
represent the great milling mass of
underprivileged persons n e
world today Liken them to the
hordes of wretched, starving people
the world over, homeless, hungry. |
poverty-stricken
Mary's life is a symbol of purity. .
To a pure humble girl and to her
faithful husband, God accorded in
describable honor. /
The shepherds were humble men,
busily employed They were doing
their duty, and God spoke to them
in the midst of their duties. If we
we do not find God in the humble
walks of everyday lite, we need new
er expect to find Him in the quiet
sanctuary.
The priests of our Lords day were
spiritually dead, and the church was
decadent and moribund. God by
passed them on that significant oc-
casion, as He will bypass the church
and it's leaders today in bringing
His proyidences to the world, unless
the living spirit of revealed truth
takes mighty hold on their hearts.
When Christ came into the void, i
great worship service was held.
The first Christmas service was
held on the hills of Judea. 1t was di-
rected by God Himself and the set
ting was most unusual and the NOSE !
significant in all the worlds his
tory.
THE CHURCH: The church was
God-made. It was cut of doors and
in Intervening.
THE CONGREGATION: 1t was +
not large. The shepherds who were
keeping watch over their flocks by
night We're the only worshippere
They were lowly men, but good and
true Christ comes to such.
THE PREACHER: The angel of
the Lord was the preacher, and the
glory of the Lord was around about
them.
THE SERMON: 1.-THE angel said
unto them, BE not afraid; for be-
hold, 1 bring you good tidings of
great joy which shall be to all pso-
pie; for to you is born this day I'M
the city of David a Savior, who is
Christ the Lord And this will be
sign for you; you will find thei
Babe wrapped in swadling clothes,
and lyin gin a manger."
THE CHOIR: And suddenly there
with the angel multitude of the
heavenly host praising God and saw
inc. Glory to Cod in the highest
and on earth peace among men with
THE RESULTS: 1.-THE shepherdsl :
Continued next coIumn)