GLORIOUS indeed was the vision of the shepherds of Bethlehem on that long remembered night, since which time more than nineteen centuries have rolled their round. All unexpected were the glory and the shining heavenly visitants. Had they been told that such a vision would appear to some group of Israelites upon that night, they would not have even presumed to think that they would be thus honored. They would have said that to the priests and scribes the messengers of God would come.
The Day of His Birth.—Never mind the month or the day of the angels’ visit. Uncertain tradition placed it on December 25, a date in all probability upon which the event did not occur. It is not the day which God wishes honored, but the event, the great fact, the soul-saving truth which is in the event. The devil worked shrewdly when he connected with one of the great revelations of the Gospel the old pagan Saturnalian feast, with its gluttony and licentiousness, its selfish giving of gifts, and its abominable idolatries. Sad that so many of the nature-worship customs still persist.
But let us forget the day for the event. Let us transport ourselves to those Judean pastures, and listen to the conversations of the shepherds as they recount the past glories of Israel, the low estate of the chosen people, and the promises of the Messiah. Listen to the chanting of the psalms of Israel as they watch their flocks. Their hearts grow hopeful and their songs exultant as they recall the promises of God.
And even as they talk, the dazzling glory of Divinity shines round about them, and they are sore afraid. They see a strong, bright messenger of God standing by their side. Comforting and assuring was his message:
“Be not afraid;
For behold, I bring YOU good tidings of great joy
Which shall be to all the people;
For there is born to you this day
In the City of David,
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
— Luke 2:10, 11.
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.”
No longer could that angel’s companions remain invisible. They must disclose their joy and sing the praises of the new-born Child:
Glorious the song, wonderful the message, glad the hearts of the hearers. The shepherds go to the City of David. They find the little Babe in its lowly birth, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. They join the invisible choir in His worship. The shining messengers who had witnessed His glorious career and triumph on the plane of the angels, now hail Him in holy worship and adoration as He begins the lowlier and fiercer career among men. Surely we may join with the shepherds in their worship and with the wise men in their adoration.
“Born to you . . . a Saviour,” said the angel to the shepherds. “God is no respecter of persons;” the “you” is universal. To every soul of earth comes the glad message. As truly as Jesus died for all, He was born a babe in Bethlehem for all. He took upon Himself humanity for all. In that condescension, in that lowliness, we may see the wonderful love of God. In prophetic vision seven hundred4years before Isaiah saw the same event:
“Unto US a CHILD is born,
Unto US a SON is given;
And the government shall be upon His shoulder,
And His name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counselor,
Mighty God;
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”
“Unto us,” you and me, reader. Unto us a Child is born. One in whom will be demonstrated the worthiness of all the titles He bears. He is our Child, our Saviour, our King. Gather these mighty comforts from the birth of the “holy Child Jesus!”
He is one with us, perfectly human. “Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, He also Himself, IN LIKE MANNER partook of the SAME,” that He “might deliver.” Heb. 2:14, 15. He is a Brother—Saviour. He, too, is Immanuel—God-with-us. He bore in His flesh, in that body “prepared” for Him, all the weaknesses, all the infirmities, all the susceptibilities to all the temptations to which humanity is subject. He knows our weaknesses, feels our needs, met them all in the flesh, and conquered all for us. Failed He never in any trial. He was supremely, transcendently victorious in our behalf. And we may go to Him as a brother beloved, and find succor for all our needs.
He meets the needs of all. The little child, the youth, young manhood and womanhood, the strength of humanity, and those upon whom the burdens of earth’s weary years rest heavily, may all come to Him, and there find rest and help. He touches all hearts, meets all needs, a Brother-Saviour, beloved and effectual. The heathen people have been compelled with their best conceptions to divide their conceived excellences among many gods, most of whom are sponsors for their vices; but in Jesus Christ blend all excellences, and vice or evil know Him not.
Unlike heathen deities, He is not a mere god of the night or of the day, of the land or of the sea, of the winter, or the spring, or the summer, or the autumn; He is not a mere god of the mountains or of the plains, of this land or of that land, of this nation or of that nation, while all other classes are without His care. He is the Saviour of all men. “He died for all!” He pleads for all, of every land and clime and age, this day, to-morrow, and all days to come. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
This Child is to reign forever. “The government shall be upon His shoulders.” “The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: . . . and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” “And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15. To this end was the Bethlehem Babe born. Would we reign with Him then?—Then He must first be born into our hearts and reign there. If He rules in our hearts now, we shall reign with Him forever. Everlasting glad tidings, isn’t it?
