Lesson 103 - Elementary

Memory Verse

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace” (Luke 2:14).

Notes

In the East

A great distance from Bethlehem where Jesus was born lived some men who were very wise. These men believed that someday God would send a great King from Heaven. We believe that often at night they looked up into the beautiful sky and watched the stars. Then one night they saw a very bright star which seemed to tell them that a King had been born. We are sure that it was God who put it into their hearts to want to go and find the Child Jesus who had come to the earth.

Seeking for Jesus

These wise men in the East loaded their camels with food and many fine gifts for the Christ Child. For many miles they traveled, coming nearer and nearer to the great King. At last their caravan stopped before the gates of the great City of Jerusalem. It seemed that the people of Jerusalem had not as yet heard that Jesus was born. The whole city was stirred as these men asked, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" When King Herod heard that a King of the Jews had been born he became troubled and called some of the men of the city and asked where Christ should be born. They told the king that one of the old prophets had written that Jesus should be born in Bethlehem. The wicked king no doubt feared that the new King might someday take King Herod's throne. Then the king called the wise men who had come from the Eat and asked them what time the star had been seen. He told them to go and find the Baby and bring him word so that he, too, could go and worship Jesus..

Finding Jesus

Then the wise men go from Jerusalem and continue the journey to find the baby Jesus. As they walk on and on they suddenly see again the bright star. It is the same star which they saw in the East before they left their home so far away. What joy fills the hearts of these men who are determined to see Jesus. Surely they are going in the right direction " the star is leading the way. Their joy is still greater as they see the star shine right down on the place where the young Child is.

By this time Mary and Joseph and the baby are no longer in the stable, but have found room in a house. Imagine their surprise as they see the caravan of camels stop outside the door. The wise men enter the house " they are sure they have found the right place " the bright star is shining right down upon them. Here they find the baby with Mary, His mother. What do you suppose they do first? They kneel and worship Jesus! They have found Jesus at last!

Since that day a great many people have knelt and worshiped Jesus and have been made happy. Then the wise men gave Jesus the gifts which they had brought for Him " gold and sweet-smelling oils " no doubt the very best things they could bring.

God's Care

God took good care of those who had come so far to see Jesus. In a dream He told them to go home another way than they had come. They obeyed the voice of God and did not return to the wicked Herod to tell him where Jesus was. God the heavenly Father was watching from above and would not let King Herod hurt Jesus.

God spoke to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the young Child and His mother and go to Egypt and stay until God told him to go on. Joseph, too, obeyed the voice of God, and without waiting for the morning took Mary and the baby by night into the land of Egypt. They stayed there until King Herod was dead. So we see that God took care of His Son Jesus and would let no harm come to Him. Then God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and the baby and go into the land of Israel. Later, God again told Joseph just where to go. So they went to the City of Nazareth to live. God knew that Joseph and Mary had hearts that would obey His voice, and no doubt that was why He sent His Son to them.

Bringing Gifts

The wise men brought gifts to Jesus in the days of long ago. Today, we, too, may bring gifts to Jesus. As the wise men opened their treasures and gave gifts, we today may open our hearts to Jesus. Here are some "gifts" we may bring to Him: first, our love " we must love Him more than anything or any one on earth. If we give Jesus all our love, it will not be hard to work for Him. We want to do all we can to help others come to Jesus and be saved. Another gift we may bring to Jesus is obedience. When we obey our parents we are obeying Jesus' words. We may also bring "gifts" of thankfulness and praise to God for His blessings to us. There are also gifts of kindness, joy, gentleness, and faith. All these things are pleasing to Jesus.

The Greatest Gift

Once a year we celebrate Christmas by giving gifts to one another, but Christmas means much more than a Christmas tree and presents. The greatest and most wonderful Christmas gift ever given was when God gave His Son Jesus Christ to the world. Why did Jesus leave His beautiful Home in Heaven and His kind Father and come to earth? We find the answer in [JHN:3:16]: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Through Jesus we may be saved from our sin and made ready for Heaven; through Jesus we may be healed; through Him we have everything that we need and a great deal more. He gives us our food, our homes, clothes, loving parents, and every good thing in life. We should sing His praises from morning until night. Surely, the song the angels sang on the Judean hillside that first Christmas night, "Glory to God in the highest," rings in the heart of every true Christian, and especially at Christmas time.

Questions

1. Why did the wise men search for Jesus? [MAT:2:2].

2. How did they find the way? [MAT:2:9].

3. What did they do when they found Him? [MAT:2:11].

4. Why did Joseph take Mary and the Baby into Egypt? [MAT:2:13].

5. What is the greatest Gift ever given to the world? [JHN:3:16].