ave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting
life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through him might be saved.' It has pleased our
heavenly Father to tell us about our Savior's birth; how lowly it was,
in a stable; and that he was laid in a manger, which means a kind of
box from which horses take their food; and that a star in the east,
sometimes called the Star of Bethlehem, guided the wise men who came
from the east to see the infant, Jesus, to the place where he lay.
Those good men hardly knew that this beautiful star was but an emblem
of the leadings of God's revealed Truth. But it is so; for all the
light of prophecy centered in that star which showed the time and
place of the birth of the Son of God. Some seem to think the star was
only a natural light, such as natural eyes could see, but I do not
think so. I rather think it was a heavenly light, and that it could be
seen only by such as loved the hope of our Lord's coming and were
ready to rejoice at his birth.

"We have the brighter light of his more clearly revealed Word, by
which we are enabled to find, not an infant Savior, but a Savior grown
up to perfect manhood made perfect through sufferings ending in his
death upon the cross. We find him as the risen and glorified Lord with
power to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him. His
heavenly truth is to us now and to all who are willing to open their
eyes and see, as the Sun of Righteousness; 'for we are not of the
night, nor of darkness, but we are all the children of light, and the
children of the day.' Paul here means such as are true Christians. I
love to preach the Gospel; but I love still more to see men and women
open their eyes to the light of its truth, and their hearts to the
warmth of its love. In this way they are led to seek the Lord; and the
promise is: 'Every one that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh,
it shall be opened.'

"One more thing I must notice. These wise men brought gifts to the
infant Jesus. I suppose these were the first Christmas gifts ever
made; and the custom of making presents at this time has probably been
kept up ever since. If presents are made on this day with an eye to
the gift of God's love, they will be acceptable in his eye; but if
made lightly, simply to comply with custom or fashion, they have no
promise."

I must yet add this from the brother's