heir reach, are left in darkness. But the Saviour declares, "He that
followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of
life."(509) Whoever is with singleness of purpose seeking to do God's
will, earnestly heeding the light already given, will receive greater
light; to that soul some star of heavenly radiance will be sent, to guide
him into all truth.

At the time of Christ's first advent, the priests and scribes of the holy
city, to whom were intrusted the oracles of God, might have discerned the
signs of the times, and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. The
prophecy of Micah designated His birthplace;(510) Daniel specified the
time of His advent.(511) God committed these prophecies to the Jewish
leaders; they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the
people that the Messiah's coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the
result of sinful neglect. The Jews were building monuments for the slain
prophets of God, while by their deference to the great men of earth they
were paying homage to the servants of Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious
strife for place and power among men, they lost sight of the divine honors
proffered them by the King of heaven.

With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been
studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in
the world's history,--the coming of the Son of God to accomplish the
redemption of man. All the people should have been watching and waiting
that they might be among the first to welcome the world's Redeemer. But
lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse
the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the
town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors
are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at
last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born.

Heavenly angels had seen the glory which the Son of God shared with the
Father before the world was, and they had looked forward with intense
interest to His appearing on earth, as an event fraught with the greatest
joy to all people. Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to
those who were prepared to receive it, and who would joyfully make it
known to the inhabitants of the earth. Christ had stooped to take upon
Himself man's nature; He was to bear an infinite weight of woe as He
should make His soul an offering for sin;