again triumphant evermore over death and hell. The Bible defines it by declar ing, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation” which sim ply means the love gift of grace “for our sins.” “Behold now is the accepted time. Behold now is the day of salva tion.” As with the shepherds of old, let us make haste to come to the Saviour, finding there in Him the perfect peace, joy, and assurance of eternal life which He alone can give. IGNORANT WORDS I t’s sad to see how few people today care or know anything about the Word of God. This is graphically portrayed in a recent report from Harvard Uni- verstiy. It was during a class in Shake speare that the character of Macbeth was being studied. While reading aloud, a student came to the word Golgotha. He stopped a moment and asked the professor, “What does that mean?” The instructor, rather shocked at the stw- dent’s apparent ignorance, responded, “You mean you haven’t heard of Gol gotha before? How about Calvary and what it represents?” The youth was very serious, “Now there’s another word I haven’t heard. A t least I don’t know its meaning.” The professor hung his head in shock and shame. A fter a mo ment’s silence, he announced, “Class dismissed.” No wonder the Psalmist poignantly asked, “I f the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Faith expects from God what is be yond all expectation.
It has had enough of this as it has swept over the face of every part of the globe. Instead God chose a star, which beautifully signifies joy, hope, good cheer, and ascendancy. A star represents creative power. You remem ber that the morning stars sang to gether when the portfolio of the uni verse was opened. A star, symbolizing brilliant continuance like the righteous who shine as the stars forever and ever. Yes, to point the way to His Son, the Lord selected a star. It still bums brightly today for those who will take- the time to look above the smog and morass about us, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” THE RIGHT RESPONSE Can you remember who were the first people who came to see you after your birth? If your parents remember and might have told you, you’ve probably forgotten. I f they’re living, it is doubt ful that they can recall this themselves. Yet isn’t it fascinating to realize that after nearly two millenniums the Bible is still very clear and careful in noting those who were among the first visitors to the manger scene? When our Lord Jesus Christ was born, there came shep herds from the fields to see for them selves. These men had been given the message which since has rung down through the corridors of time. What the shepherds did in response to the notice by angelic hosts is something from which we can learn practical lessons. They declared one to another, “Let us go now!” They weren’t figuring out a more convenient time. They weren’t going to their homes first where they could discuss the matter with their families. They weren’t going to wait until after they had visited the sheep markets. It was a matter of the great est urgency. The time was now! This same thought should be uppermost in our hearts and lives even today. We, too, need to make haste in finding the real message of Christmas. We come not just to the manger but rather to the cross. There we can see the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us rising What we weave in time we will wear for all eternity.
Some people count sheep but those who are restful talk to the Shepherd.
A LIVING PICTURE It’s not easy to be away from loved ones at an hour such as this. You can imagine how the little boy felt whose father had to be gone on the road sell ing at Christmas. He longingly held his father’s picture and told his mother, “Mommy, I wish daddy would come 25
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