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6 THE PRESBYTERI/
as the channel of redeeming truth, their journeying toward
Jerusalem and their worshipping in Bethlehem
speak the value of a voluntary commitment and personal
devotion to Jesus Christ.
Note what they sought: Where is he? Not the
creed of the Rabbi, not the ritual of the Priest, but
the Person of Christ?this is their quest.
So you and I, in the far-away land of our wander
itig see his star, in that hour we remeifiber the promise
of God, the hope of Israel; then we turn our faces
toward the city of the King and are not satisfied at
Jerusalem with its rabinic creed or its priestly ritual,
but press on to Bethlehem that we may worship at
the feet of the King.
striKing is the contrast between the wise men and
the Scribes?the one possessed living inspiration, the
other dead knowledge. The Scribes knew that in
Bethlehem the Christ should be born?the Wise Men,
knowing not the place, knew that the Christ already
lived.
Striking also is the contrast between Herod and
it. . If .... .1 ~
. me iviagi: it is# tne chtterence between dead orthodoxy
and living faith. The King was careful of Jewish tradition
and established belief: the Wise Men were concerned
about Jesus Christ.
As time passed the fruits of these contrasting attitudes
are seen. Promptly the living inspiration and
faith laid its gold and frankincense and myrrh at the
Master's feet. While, with a hate that was almost '
devilish, der.d knowledge and orthodoxy sought to
kill the Christ. From the cry that arose in Bethlehem
as Rachel refused to be comforted until the cross
was planted with its burden and the sword pierced
Mary's soul, the Scribes and Herods daily registered
their hatred toward the living truth.
Ah, yes, we need a living faith that follows the
light. My brother, if in high success, or in deep failure,
if in great joy, or in desolating bereavement, if
in any hour you see the star, do thou arise and seek
the King in Bethlehem.
IV. The First Christmas Gifts.
Not empty-handed did these Magi come. "Opening
their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold
and frankincense and myrrh." These were the first
Christmas gifts.
When we look out upon the world as it celebrates
the Birthday of the King there is much to sadden us.
Already we have thought upon its revelry, its debauchery,
its vain glory, and even in its gifts it stands
condemned. The cruel tyranny of custom has robbed
the Christmas season of its best.
The sweet practice of sending a love token at this
time of joy has degenerated into heartless barter. We
pay our debts?we make investments?we present
costly gifts to the rich who need them not; perchance,
if we are very good, we give a pittance to the
poor.
Let us declare our Christian independence. Tonight,
let us learn the secret of true Christmas gifting
and live what wp havp IpampH
If it were your birthday, and men gave gifts to one
another forgetting you, would you thus be honored?
If then, it be Christ's birthday, should not the offer
VN OF THE SOUTH. December 22, 1909.
ings of our love he laid at his feet.
To this question, which can receive but one answer,
we add another, where can we find him?
I hold every gift that brightens childhood, every
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men. atttis liicuuMup, every orrering tnat ministers
to want, made in his name, I hold this a "Birthday
Present" to the King.
The Wise Men at Bethlehem laid their gold, and
frankincense and myrrh at his feet. The Other Wise
Man, whom Henry Van Dyke so beautifully pictures,
Aratban of Ecbatana, laid also his offering at those
blessed feet.
Delayed by ministeries of love, he failed to meet his
comrades as they followed the star. Through more
than thirty years he sousrht the Saviour amontr th#>
lowly, ministering ever to their need. Old and broken
he died in the streets of Jerusalem at that very hour
in which Christ died beyond the city wall. He had
failed to find the Saviour, whom he sought.
Even his gifts were gone. His sapphire, his ruby,
his pearl?had been used to save from death a sick
man in the desert, to save from the sword a babe in
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jueinienem, to save trom slavery a maiden iri Jerusalem.
As the grateful maiden bent over the dying Magi?
she heard him murmur. "Not so, my Lord. For when
saw I these an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty,
and gave .thee drink? When saw I thee a stranger,
and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? When
saw I thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee?
Three and thirty years have I looked for thee; but I
have never seen thy face, nor ministered to thee, my
King."
And the maiden heard a sweet voice, saying:
"Verily, I say unto thee, inasmuch as thou hast done
it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, thou
hast done it unto me."
As then, so now there is no real difficulty in finding
Jesus Christ, that at his feet we may lay our gifts.
WIf* clioll Ka eorlKr -f ? f _ * t -* *
..w uv jouij iiiisicu, ii . wc iau 10 note trie
steps taken by the Wise Men who brought their treasures.
They came?they worshipped?they offered
gifts. First they gave themselves?then gold and
frankincense and myrrh. Richer by far was the first
gift. Poor would the treasures have been in the eye
of God, if the hands that bore them were unsurrendered.
Self is the supreme gift that Christ desires.
OH, CENTURIES UNBORN!
John Richard Moreland.
Oh, centuries unborn, 'tis not for thee
To let a wondrous star thv atioa oHnm
Like that which shone o'er Bethlehem,
Telling the world that Christ was born.
Oh, centuries unborn, thou may'st bring
Wonders and sights we can not understand,
But thou canst never Bing so sweet a song
As ' Peace on earth, good will to man."
nil ponill rlni. ? ? 11 *1 "
_ ?, vvatuiici uiiuuiu, uu uioiuer inua
Shall hush to sleep a child so sweet,
Nor wise men travel miles on miles
To worship at an Infant's feet.
Oh, star! Oh, song! Oh, mother mild!
Oh, Babe divine! Oh, Christmas morn!
Time can not bring so grand a gift
Unto the centuries unborn.
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