Your ShelfYour Projects

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST

20%

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, January 1, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 1

Read the full edition

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

By John Gottlieb Matteson

BY ELD. J. G. MATTESON.
“Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord.” Luke 2: 10, 11. Thus sounded forth the joyful message of salvation on that memorable night when our Saviour was born. The believing shepherds on the fields of Bethlehem listened with rapture as the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. And suddenly there was a heavenly choir,—a multitude of the heavenly host,—who joined the first angel, and said: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” The Father smiled on high. He caused a lovely ray of light to shine through the dark clouds of the curse and to light up the dark night of sorrow. The Son smiled on earth.
He was born of a poor woman, and found room with the beasts of the stall. There was no room for him in the palaces of the world; no, not even in the simplest dwelling for men. He was wrapt in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. But a heavenly light shone around the lovely countenance of this babe. He smiled to the shepherds with a sweeter smile than had ever been seen on the lips of an infant. The angels rejoiced exceedingly as they saw a glimpse of that grace, which, through this child, should be imparted to their fallen fellow-creatures on the earth, and heavenly joy filled the hearts of the children of God. The fire of divine love was kindled through the blessed gospel of the birth of Christ.
Dear friend who reads these lines, do you not desire to bow with the shepherds, and worship your Saviour? Do you believe in Christ who alone can save you? Do you love him more than all others? Oh, come to the Lord! Seek him in his word and in earnest prayer. Behold, Jesus stands at the door, and knocks. Will you make room in your heart for your best friend?