INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 50.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 12.—DECEMBER 21.—THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 2:8–20, A.S.R.V.

(8) “And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. (9) And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; (11) for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. (13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, (14) Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased. (15) And it came to pass, when the angel went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (16) And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. (18) And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. (19) But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. (20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.”

Golden Text.— “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Verse 11.

Special Helps.— “Patriarchs and Prophets,” Ch. 4, pp. 63–70.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What class of people are first noted in this lesson? Where and at what time were they watching their flocks? Verse 8. Note 1. (2) What appearance suddenly confronted them? How were they affected? Verse 9. (3) What did the angel say to the shepherds? Verse 10. Note 2. (4) What were the good tidings? Verse 11. Note 3. (5) By what sign would they know the Babe? Verse 12. Note 4. (6) Then who suddenly appeared with the angel? Verse 13. Note 5. (7) What were their words of praise? Verse 14. Note 6. (8) After this what did the shepherds say to one another? Verse 15. (9) Then what did they do? And what did they find? Verse 16. (10) After seeing the Child, what did the shepherds do? Verse 17. (11) How was their message received? Verse 18. (12) How was Mary affected by all these things? Verse 19. (13) After publishing the tidings abroad, what did the shepherds do? Verse 20. Note 7.

NOTES.

1. Shepherds abiding in the field at night is evidence that the event did not occur in the latter part of December, and therefore that the day popularly called Christmas is not the anniversary of our Saviour’s birth. However, while the day, whatever the date, was not in any sense made sacred by the event, it is proper and becoming for us to give thanks and sing praises to God on any day for the gift of His Son. It was the manifestation of a promise to which the children of faith had long been looking, and to the full enjoyment of which true believers are looking forward to-day. See John 14:1–3; 1 Thess. 4:14–18; Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:6–8.

2. “Good Tidings.”—There could be no tidings of greater moment than the advent of a Saviour from sin and death. Imagine the arrival of reinforcements to rescue a besieged city, or the coming of a life-saving crew to a sinking ship, and then compare the advent of a Saviour able and willing to save an entire perishing world. Heb. 7:25; 2 Peter 3:9.

3. It was essential that Christ be born in “the city of David” (Bethlehem), for so had the prophet said. Micah 5:2. This would be a mark of recognition to those who had been studying the prophecies and looking for the Messiah. That the shepherds had been thus engaged is shown by the fact that the announcement was made to them.

4. The manger was in the stable of the inn where there was no room in the house for Joseph and Mary. This was no fault of the inn-keeper; those who came first were first served. The people of God have to take things as they come in the world, just as other folks do. Jesus was subject to this necessity all through His earthly career, and made no complaint. But Joseph and Mary were themselves to blame for their dilemma. Had they read the prophecies concerning the birthplace of their Son, and heeded the instruction, they would have been settled in Bethlehem before that critical moment. It would not have required a political decree to bring them there, and that too at such an untimely season. Even the Lord’s own people bring much trouble upon themselves through neglecting the plain teaching of His Word. Many of their trials and inconveniences are their own fault.

5. The “heavenly host” have been interested in the work of salvation from the first proclamation of the Gospel in Eden, and they are all employed in its consummation. Heb. 1:14.

6. Peace is the purpose of Christ’s incarnation, of His great sacrifice. Through transgression of the law man became at enmity with God. Through faith in the atonement of Christ peace is restored. Rom. 5:1, 2; John 3:36. So “the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places.” Isa. 32:17, 18.

7. The course of the shepherds was logical. First, they believed the Word, and a revelation of the whereabouts of the Saviour was made to them by heavenly messengers. Then they sought Him and found Him. (“Seek, and ye shall find.”) Having found the Saviour, they glorified God and forthwith made known the glad tidings to their neighbors. And this is the course the Lord would have all believers pursue.