The Tri County News

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST, D. D.
Of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago
Released by Western Newspaper Union
Lesson for December 23
Lesson subjects and Scripture texts selected and copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education; used by permission.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS TO THE WORLD
LESSON TEXT: Luke 2:1-14.
GOLDEN TEXT: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.-Luke 2:14.
Christmas again! Yes, and it's going to be a joyful Christmas this year, isn't it? Let's not miss a single 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:
I. Make Room for Jesus! (vv. 1-7).
"It came to pass" -yes, it always does when God has given His promise. 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 offices, in our social gatherings?
Remember, it was not because they hated Him that there was no room. It was just that they were "preoccupied." That is the trouble in men's hearts today. They should have made room in the inn for Jesus even though everyone and everything 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? (Jer. 17:9; John 15:24; Rom. 8:7). (John W. Bradbury).
That is the message of Christmas! Make room in your heart, in your life and in your home for Jesus! Then go quickly and
II. Tell Others About Jesus! (vv. 8-12).
The religious leaders slept soundly 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 unbelievably great had happened, for the heavens were ablaze with celestial glory.
At first they were afraid, but they were soon comforted by the words "Fear not." How characteristic that message is of the whole gospel testimony. Fear not, there is salvation; Jesus has come to seek and to save the lost.
But be sure to note that such a message is not just for one's personal joy and encouragement; it is for "all people" (v. 10). The shepherds realized that and the verses following our lesson tell us that "they made known" what they had seen (vv. 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 heathen 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 (vv. 13-14).
The angels could hardly wait with their praise. "Suddenly" a multitude of the heavenly host appeared, praising God for the blessed message of peace and good will.
The Christian life is quite incomplete 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 Saviour in your heart! Then, let us all make Him known everywhere, to the praise and glory of His name.
It would please the one who prepares these notes to have a word from his friends everywhere, assuring him of their interest and prayers. Just a postcard will do. The address is at the head of the column. Don't expect a reply, but be assured that he will pray for you.