By Oswald J. Smith
EVERY diabolical plan that satanic ingenuity could de vise was used to destroy Him. Demons trembled. Satan became enraged. All hell was allied against Him. But God was watching and He lived because He was . . . The Christ of Christmas
TVT early two thousand years ago there was bom in Beth- -L n lehem of Judea a Babe whose life was destined to affect countless millions. That Babe was Jesus Christ. The time was ripe for His birth. Roman roads had been built throughout the civilized world in preparation for the feet of His future messengers. The Greek language had become almost universal in readiness for the procla mation of His Gospel. The people among whom He was born were poor and despised, having been conquered by the Roman power. In the heart of every man was a cry for deliverance. The world knew not of His birth. Work went on as usual. There was no tremendous upheaval announcing a new order. Kings and Potentates continued to rule as before. Nothing outwardly heralded His Advent into the world. Only Heaven appeared to be interested. In fact, God had to arrange a welcome for Himself, and so legions of angels circled the skies and heralded His birth. Wise men from the East, studying the stars, and observing an unusual phenomenon in the heavens, came with their gifts from afar. Rulers learned of His birth and became fearful and afraid. Anger filled their hearts. Murder was conceived and executed. Fearful of losing their power, they sought His death by every possible means. Every diabolical plan that satanic ingenuity could devise was used to destroy Him. Demons trembled. Satan became enraged. All hell was allied against Him. But God was watching and He lived in spite of it all.
He did not come to a palace with marble halls and carpeted stairs. No luxurious bed chamber was prepared for His birth. Neither nurses nor doctors were in attend ance. Cathedral bells failed to toll; bands were silent. No royal choruses burst forth in song. Only the heavenly orchestras were heard. He came to a stable, and was laid in a manger. He was destined, however, to be recognized by countless millions as the greatest of all prophets, the mightiest of all the mighty, the Saviour of the world, God incarnate. And now for nearly two thousand years His birth has been commemorated. More than nineteen hundred Christmas days have come and gone since that never-to- be-forgotten night, and boys and girls, as well as men and women the world over, have kept sacred the memory of His birth. God grant that throughout the land hearts may be turned to Christ as Saviour and receive through Him the gift of eternal life; not only to the Babe bom so long ago, but to the One who lives today and lives to save. For He it is who became flesh and dwelt amongst us. He, the resurrected, living Christ of God, was the Babe of Beth lehem’s manger. God commendeth His love toward us through the gift of His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Make this Gift yours this Christmas time and rejoice with the Lord, who said, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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