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throne, to establish It with judgment and justice forever. Fulfillment of the prophecy was assured .by the state ment: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform .it.” III. T he B irth of C hrist . (L uke 1:26-33) The only possible manner in which the promised Messiah of Isaiah’s prophecy could come, into the world, and take upon Him “the form , of man,” was by Holy -Spirit conception and virgin birth. The human name of “Jesus,” meaning “Jehovah saves,” was given before this birth. That He would be great and called the Son of the Highest was a reference to Mil lennial times. It was not at His first coming that He was given the throne of David and the rule over the house of Jacob; this is yet to be fulfilled and it will come to pass as truly as did the detailed events prophesied in connection with His first advent. Thank God, of His Kingdom there shall be no end! Points and Problems 1. "The angel Gabriel was sent from God . . . to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph" -(Luke 1:26-27). At what time in Mary’s life did this announcement come? Cer tainly it did not occur after she was married, but -while she was still a virgin. The- Greek word for “virgin” allows but one meaning—Mary was unmarried, but betrothed, or engaged to be married. In those days, betroth al was a very sacred thing, usually lasting about a year, and unfaithful ness to her betrothal vows on the part of the woman was punishable by death (Dout. 22:23, 24). It was during the period of her engagement that Gabriel appeared to Mary. 2. “Thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is w;*h thee" (Luke 1:28). Certainly the grace of God was upon Mary. She was honored as no other woman will ever be honored. But this statement from the Scriptures makes it very clear that she is in no sense to be the object of worship as some have made her. Because the Lord was with Mary, she was blessed; He was responsible for her exaltation, and He alone is to be worshiped. Here is indicated a clear distinction be tween Mary and the Lord. Their po sitions must not be confused. Mary ought to be honored as a “hand maiden of the Lord” but there is no warrant in Scripture for her to be adored, prayed to or considered in any respect as a mediator. Mary must not be accorded the place of deity. Neither should she be scorned, for her life and service teach valuable les sons. 3. "And shalt call His name Jesus" (Luke 1:31). What memories of glo-
rioùs days of the past must have còme trooping into Mary’s mind, as the name “Jesus” was pronounced! The word, “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Joshua.” Joshua was the great successor to Moses, and had the honor of leading Israel into the promised land. He_ became their de liverer, leader and inspiration. But Joshua, in all his greatness, was but a dim shadow of what Jesus would be. Did Mary comprehend this? Ga briel clearly revealed it (v. 32). For the Children T he C omi S' g of J esus . ' L uke 1:26-31 : MEMORY VERSE: “He loved us, and sent his Son” -(1 John 4:10). _AIM: To. prepare the pupils for the story, next Sunday, of the coming to earth in. human form of the Lord Je sus Christ, the Son of God. APPROACH: Has your family ever received a telegram telling you that someone whom you had n e v e r seen, blit•about- whofti you had heard, was cómlng to see-you? Perhaps the visi tor was a relative, or a friend whom Your parents had known when they were children. ; How carefully; your family prepared for that one’s com ing!- How eager you were to meet the stranger! LESSON STORY: For hundreds of years God had promised the children of Israel, His own people, that He would send to them His own Son to be... their Saviour. Doubtless, many Jewish mothers who had baby boys, thought that perhaps their son might be the Promised One, but, of course- none .o£ them were. One day, almost two thousand years ago, a strange visitor appeared to Mary, a young woman who lived in Nazareth, of Galilee. The visitor was Gabriel, an important angel whom God had sent from Heaven to bring a message to Mary. As the an gel appeared to Mary, he said, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blesised art thou among women.” When Mary heard the angel she was troubled by his words and wondered what they meant. Ga- ~ briel spoke again, saying, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.” He then told her that she would have a Son whom she should name “Jesus.” Her Son would be the Son of God. How thrilled Mary must have been at these wonderful words! Her heart was so happy that she sang a song of thanksgiving to God for choosing her to be the mother of His Son, the Saviour of the World. (See Luke 1:46-55). As we are thinking of the gifts that we plan to give one another at this Christmas time, let us often thank God that “He loved us, apd sent His Son” into the world to be our Sav iour. The Lord Jesus was the most wonderful of all Christmas gifts.
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