December, 1935
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
443
c_ A round the K ing’s T ables
B y P a u l W . R ood
Christ in Christmas Many celebrate Christmas without con- sidering its real meaning. They are occupied with presents and celebrations, and forgetful of Christ. Even in Sunday-schools and churches, there is often a tendency to get away from the real significance of the birth o f Christ. Let us put Christ right in the center of our Christmas celebration. Bibles, New Testaments, Scripture mottoes, and books with an evangelical message make splendid gifts which remind the recipient o f Christ: Christmas cards sent out by Christians should have a distinctively Christian message. Sunday-school programs should be Christ-centered. Friends who seldom come
to help her family, but also to be able to give to the Lord’s work. The members o f the family are faithful tithers— even the children who work after school. They are support ing a native missionary in the Congo as well as giving to the Lord’s work at home. When the mother heard o f the need of the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles, she said in her heart, “ What can I give ?” Her tithe money was all used for this month, but when she presented the need to her family, one o f the boys responded and gave five dollars. Considering the circumstances o f this family, this is indeed a real gift o f love and sacrifice; but the te s tim on y of. this grbup continues, day by day: “ My God
to church will listen to these programs What an opportunity to present the gospel! Churches usually distribute baskets to the needy during this
shall supply all your need.” The donation was presented as a gift “ from a boy f e . j who loves the Lord.” Another lady heard the same broadcast. She had ten dollars and fifty cents in her possession. She said she was ill, and needed medical attention and food. This 0 sister sent in the ten dollars to the Institute anonymously and told how the Lord had laid it on her heart to make this contribu- ’ tion. W e could not return the gift as it was in our hearts to do, because we did not know who she was or where to reach her. We could only pray that God would bless her and supply all her needs, as she, like the poor widow, had given “ all that she had.” It is such gifts of love and sacrifice as the ones that have been mentioned that are mak
season o f the year. Why not put a Testament and some well- chosen tracts in every basket ? Why not do some real personal work in connection with the dis tribution o f Christmas gifts to the poor ? What a privilege!
Christmas offers an. especially fine opportunity for pastors to preach the gospel. Such themes as “ The Meaning of the Incar nation,” “ The Virgin Birth of Christ,” “ The First and Second Advent,” “ The Birth of Christ in Prophecy^ “ Why Christ Came,” and “ The Name o f Jesus,” are worthy o f the best efforts of those who stand behind the sacred desk. Let us preach Christ — with clarity, fervor, and power—to the edification o f believers and the salvation o f sinners. The Christmas celebration in the home gives occasion to read the second chapter o f Luke, and unitedly to thank God for sending His only begotten Son to be our Redeemer. Let us put Christ into Christmas! God Is Not This truth is our comfort as we read Unrighteous touching letters from our friends who send in sacrificial gifts. The Lord Jesus is still . sitting “ over against the treasury” beholding “ how the people cast money into the treasury.” ' Jesus knew that the poor widow “ cast in all that she had, even all her living.” It is good to know that Jesus sees and un derstands, and that He will reward in due season. Not many days ago, a mother heard over the radio the story of the need o f the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles. She is the mother o f five children, and she augments the limited income o f her husband by keeping boarders and serving meals at all hours o f the day. In between times, she washes and irons nurses’ uniforms and an average of twenty-five men’s shirts a week. She does all of these tasks not only
Courtesy, Sunset
ing it possible for the work o f the Bible Institute of Los Angeles to continue. W e would remind our donors o f the words in Hebrews 6 :10 : “ For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor o f love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Our Annual Bible Conference will be held January 26 to February 2, 1936. These Conference dates have been chosen because they include the birthday o f R. A . Torrey, and also mark the opening o f the second semester o f the school year at Biola. We are honoring the memory of Dr. Torrey by holding a memorial service on his birth day, January 28. There are multiplied thousands who have been converted or spiritually enriched through the ministry o f this man o f God, and it is our hope that many of these friends will find it possible to attend the con ference, and particularly the memorial service. Dr. Torrey was a great evangelist as well as a great Bible teacher; therefore it is appropriate that we make this a Conference on Evangelism. Furthermore, we recog- Annual Bible
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