HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1971-12-23, Page 23L
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124th YEAR '• 51
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23,'°1971
blessed Christmas to one
The promise. of Christmas
BY REV. G..L,,ROYAL
Knox Presbyterian Church
Charles Dickens, in "Great -Expectation's" writes of Pip and the tremendous hopes that young
man possessed as to future riches. They ultimately come to Pip but from the strangest and most
unexpected channel. The same title might be applied to the hopes of Israel and the prospect of a
Coming Messiah. One of the great Biblical texts reads, "The people that walked in darkness have
seen a, great light," and from this hope -filled verse jlohn Morison of Scotland wrote,
"The race that Ionglin darkness„pined
Have seen a glorious light;
The people dwell in day, who dewit
" In death's surrounding night." ti "
Israel was in the throes of great expectations from the. first pronouncements concerning t! e
Coming One. 'The divine tactics were to be revolutionary.
The promise was in terms of a Virgin bearing a Son and His name would,�be Emmanuel. This
was revolutionary in inter, St. Luke was later to write, "For with God nothing shall be •
impossible. The. very Concept of a Virgin Birth was alien to human experience. The coming of the
Christ, born of woman, inspire ia.bjrt. and conceived of the Holy Spirit, would be. irrevocably
different. This would set the mark upon •Him of being unique. He would be God/man, H ,.would
The Wisemen
BY ,R.E V. G. G. Russell.
St`° lrgc s A igfc i airs " `" ,.,, ....
"When Jesus was born in Coderich, Ontario there came wisemen
from the east to Toronto, saying "Where is He that is born King...?"
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* * *
"Will M. Koh please.,come to the Air Canada information desk.
Mr. Koh, pleasecome to the Air Canada information desk." o • ,
Mr. Koh had been standing at `the top of the stairs after clearing
customs at Toronto International Aipp:rt•..„Wen he heard his name
called over the public address system, he began to jostle his way.
• through the crowd of people. .
He was a small man with swarthy weathered skin which showed
the lines of age, but his posture Was good and his movements agile,
When he reached the desk he gave his 'name'.
"Yes, Mr. Koh", said the girl 'behind the counter, "Mr. Stephany
and. Mr. Shalita asked if you would meet them in the lounge at the
far end of the building."
• 'Though he•had not seen his friends for several years, Mr. Koh had
no difficulty recognizing thg two men.
Mr. Shalita was small for a zulu, but fine featured and erect, with
short graying hair and large eyes. Mr. Stephany, seeming older than
his years, was walking with a limp but his ha .shake was as firm as
ever.
• After they had exchanged greetings, and ad reminisced for' a few,
• minutes, there was a silence, broken, finally, by Mr. Shalita.
"I am so glad you have both come. I can't explain my feelings
any better now tnan I did in the letters I wrote to you, but I know
from your replies that each of us shared simultaneously this strange
anticipation, both an apprehension and, an exultation.”
"All the, signs point here", said Mr. Koh-`, "though I can't explain
_why."
7-- .
"I inquired, after 'I arrived yesterday, at the Gavernrnen't offices
but they have no knowledge of, it", said Mr.`Stephany. "My' intuition
'tells me we should go farther west.'-:
He spread a map in front of them and, putting his finger on a
spot, said: "Here, Goderich."
They rented a car, and three hours later wound trough the town
of Goderich and stopped where they could see the ice packed against
the lake shore with the cold grey water beyond -it. -Then they drove
toward the central square to the office of the Town Clerk.
Since Mr. Shalita spoke the best English, he made the 'inquiries
this time.
"We are looking for a baby born here recently,” he said.
" baby?"youthe parents'
Whose asked the Clerk. "Don't know
names?
"No", said Mr. Shalita, ."I don't. But they will be newcomers, and
fairly poor; and. the mother is very young.'.'
The Clerk was puzzled, but a man standing in the office said,
"That sounds like Joe - I' don't know his last name - and Mary. They
have a new baby. They live over by the salt block. 3o down to the
end of that street there and bear to the right. You'll hafire to ask
somebody down there which house it is."
The three travellers drove slowly around the streets till they saw
two girls playing in the snow.
Mr. Shalita spoke to -them: "Do 9bu know anyone named Joe and
Mary who have'a new baby?"
"Back there," they both shouted together, -and pointed to a small
house , close to the street half a block from where the car was
stopped. ,
When they reached the house, they got out of the car slowly.
They said nothing while. Mr. Koh tapped on the door. •-
INhe a man answered, Mr. Koh aced: "Is your name Joe?"
, ,f'Y ," said the man. ,,
4 "A your wife is Mary, and you have a new'baby boy?
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be the true representative of the heavenly Father, empowered with His power, and He would be
bore of humankind. representative of the best and noblest. _
His place of birth would be revolutionary also. It would not be in Jerusalem, or"Athens, or
Rome, but in the small hamlet of Bethlehem in -Judea. He would identify immediately with the
humblest of people. He would be the Redeemer of total' mankind and not just a•segment of the
human race. A universal tone is set in the 9th chapter of Isaiah's.prophecy when he writes, "For
unto us.a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and
his name shall, be called Wond.erful, Codnsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The
Prince ,of Peace." . '
A promi§e is nota promise unless there is hope of fulfillment in it.,Through years of depression, r
oppression; suppression the flame was kept all by the' Jewish people as they looked toward their
day of redemption. Hope for better things celeratps human progress A distant dream gives
strength to the steps of man. A far-off light shining draws people like a magnet. So it was with the.
Old Testament prophecies telling of a Saviour who would come. People survived in a lively hope
that around some future corner their dismay would be transformed into rejoicing and their defeat
into complete and resounding v4ictory. It was in this Messianic hope° that the descendents_of_
Abraham found the necessary sustenance to keep a forward path.
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The Innkeeper
By Rev. R. C. McClenaghan
Dungannon -Nile United ChurchesAlmost 2,000 years ago a tired; weary -worn swung couple arrived
late one evening after 'a long journey in.• the small town of
Bethlehem. It was very obvious that as well as needing' a place to
rest, they needed some place. to make s home for their child soon to
be born. How easy it is for us to picture,the downcast expression on
the face of the man as he is rebuffed by the inn -keeper's caustic
words, "There is no room in the Inn...I atn all frilled up to -night."
It should, riot be too hard today to picture a young couple of the
20th century entering our town on Christmas E've,. They /lave all t/u'
appearances of the "hitch=hiking"couples of today. They look most
f
weary and in need olodging. We can hear them as they approach
the modern , hotel or����need
motel. clerk saying, h e d r.o om for
t u'
nigh " -Wixh' c�r(e dtaok•Ythey receive the reply, "There 15 no room kr
you
p Perha s it is unfair to say Bethlehem Inn -Ke
� f y Inn -Keeper was too
preoccupied' with his duties' to welcome a King in Bethlehem. It has
been a busy ttlay, 'he. •. had many .influential guests.., his
„note!,.„Inca,,, was filled,,,' he falls to recogpize the need« of: the
young couple when they come...but thea shows a slight concern. Let
us not bei'oo harsh on the Inn-keeper...his problem is our problem•
too busy to be sensitive of the true need when it corifrorits us.
Because of this depravity in our lives, the doors are barred to Christ,
"There is rio:room". How tragic, that in ad' the joy of the Christmas
Season the Christ of Bethlehem is so hard to fit into the pattern of
living today...by reaching out' to others; in their need..Heaven'sguCst
still waits outside the door note just of the Motel or 'Inn, hut of the
lives of men and women.
Can we invite Him in when He comes to our towel?
King Herod.
Rev. R.'Brubacher
Calvary Baptist Church
These are the days of excitement and joy. Preparations are being
made for Christmas. Both children and parents look forward with
keen anticipation for December 25, when families have joyous
reunions•with .loved ones, gifts are opened and a spirit of love and
goodwill prevails. -
. Let me ask, why all—the rush, hustle' and bustle? Is it really
because of joy unbounded that Jesus Christ the Saviour was born as
a babe in Bethlehem's manger? Do we rerbice that He was born to be
a King?
When Jesus was born, King Herod, hearing about it through the
visit of the Wisemen was troubled lest .another should usurp his
throne. Because of this he pretended to be ,greatly -interested and
enquired when Christ was born, suggesting that he might come and
.worship Him also.
However, as history records, his intrusion was to slay Jesus. When
Herod the, King realized that the Wisemen did not return to tell him
where Christ was he slew all the children two years old and under in
Bethlehem and the surrounding area.
If Christ were, born today, how would He be received? In this so
called enlightened ,age would He be welcomed or are there Herods
who would seek to destroy Him? How about the greed and
selfishness, the rejection of the Bible as the Word cif God, the blatant
unbelief and bold atheism which seems- so prevalent? What about
those who geek personal power at the total disregard of others?
No, I am afraid Jesus lbhrist who was born . King of the Jews
would not be welcome anymore today than he was then despite all
the outward lip service. May we at this Christmas season do some
serious soul searching. ~~~
if you have ever trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour
why not do so now. r
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The Shepherds
Th9 Manger
BY REV. PE -TER --G: ST.. DON
Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle
• A magazine published by the Holiday Inn chain contained an'
interesctir ite r. On -Christmas, Eve, 19.69,, a man and yvife dressed
. like p'eople in B•iole•--times walked into the lobby of the Holiday.'
Inn -Downtown Akron, Ohio, Leading a 'donkey, they approached
the desk of Robert"Nagle, Assistant Innkeeper. •
Signing the register "Joseph of 'Nazareth," the man said his wife
was,"heavy with child."
Mr . agle did' act=knov►r,bbvt the oujii s ft'"dEf
which was trying to ,demonstrate how—the Holy Family would have
been -rejected today just as they were almost two thousand -years
• ago. Their plan did not work, for Mr. Nagle offered them . free
lodging and a free meal. Later, he received a citation by the
International Association of 'Holiday Inns.'
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If Christ was to born this year on Chri mas day in Goderich
I feel the setting would be much different than the above mentioned
setting'.
Joseph being a carpenter by trade would be an average income
citizen of, .octrday. ,He and Mary would drive into town in a car.
Goderich would be very busy and all the Hotels and Motels would be:
completely, booked up in advance, if we keep the' birth Of 'Christ in
"fur day in its proper setting. Joseph and .Mary would. "thus find a
similar situation as far ,as. rooming is concerned in Goderich as was
found in Bethlehem o.f Judeae almost"'two thousand years ago.
This now leaves two more areas for Joseph and Mary to turn to; •
either the homes of the local Innkeepers, or the homes of you the
citizens of this. -..town. Would you find. room in your home for a
strange couple if• approached this year or would they be rejected and
turned away? When we consider the proper setting of Christ's birth,
it puts us as citizens of Goderich in a rather trying situation.
What would you do?, The destiny of the birth place of Christ
would be left up to you. Hopefully someone would. reeeive Joseph
and Mary into their home; thus welcoming the birth of Jesus. in more
pleasant surroundings than that cfn stable and a-inanger.
Ray. W. H. McWhialnie
First Baptist Church y '-
In
-In Luke's gospel, we havt' the story of the Shepherds and the
heavenly choir. It is wonderful that the stor►' should, tell that the
first announcement of God should come to the shepherds." They
were despised by the Orthodox people of that dao and they were
unable to keep the people, of that day and they were unable to keep
the details of the' cererinonial laws and could not observe al! the
meticulous hand washing rtes.and regulations, :heir flocks made far
too constant deriiands on thein and so they Orthodox looked down
on them as verve coinmon people. 11 -was to simple men of the fields
that Gods message first_canze. — •
But these Shepherds.were kcal/ likelihood very :special Shepherds.
In the Temple morning a°rid evening an unblemished lamb ,was
offered as a sacrifice to God. To see that the supply of p-erfect and
unblemished offerings was always available. the Temple .1 uth•brities'
had their own private sheep ,flocks and we know that these, were
pastured near Bethlehem.
, It is most likely that. these Shepherds were „in Charge of • these
flocks from 'which the Temple offerings were chosen. Therefore it is
a lovely thought that the„Shepherds who looked ,after the Temple
lambs were the first to see the Lamb of God who was to takeaway
the Sin of the world. •
It is said that when a child was horn, the local' musicians
congregated at. -the house to greet him with simple anisic. Christ was
-born in a stable in Bethlehem and therefore that ceremony could riot
• have been carried out.„ However, the rein, .trelsy of heaven took the
place of the minstrels Of earth/and angelss'ng the songs of Jesus, ,.
What •did the Shepherds do about this „first Christmas Message.
Read Luke 2:8-20.
They talked about tt"amoiig r/Wm3`elves
They made their witness to others about it.
They went to seer Christ for themselves.
They went back singing praises to God.,
What place will you give 1o' Christ iY( wctr l,.,...and..,.uttiotn this
Christmas season? Will you do a,s the Shepherds did?
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REV. LEONARD WARR
1'ICTORI.4 ST.' BE/ MILLER
('.1''ITI;D CHURCHES
Once again at this .saerecl season of the ,near, the world comes
under the.'nmgic spell c>_t. Christmas. The 'star is one o•, the emblems
we associate with the Christmas season and the world. once thore is
being illuminated by the light of the Christmas star, ~
Just f pie Yak(
_ a.. ; t celestial. music
ust as surely as those first slue Inerds.lteard the
cehoing 01W -the eou,ro .side , a tlrc. Mag( from the east discerned”
the strange new star that /rad swim into their universe, so thousands
'today by faith are hearing the distant.melodies of heaven, and are
beholding the Christina star. The record says 'of the wise .men;
"When they saw the star, they rejoic'e'd with exceeding great joy. '•"
As the Christmas star once more appears in our' ay whet will our
reaction be? Will .i.t. be like that of the seise men who still seek and
fo!!ow'God or oJ;thc foolish wlio igno,ri',jlit' light?
Here are three distinct beams of light radiating from it:
First, 1 see a°'rav of light pointing upward. he Gospel of Matthew
sal -'"'low the star...went hefore thein, till it came and stood over
where the voting child svgs." Let us call this the ray of
purposefulness.
Wisemen were guided by the star, and their lives were guided by a
powerful sense of direction. Everyone who has caught a vision of the,
Christmas star had become possessed by a spirit of high parpose.
Real, genuine, vital, personal faith in Jesus Christ gives the soul a
»qw direction' and establishes definite' goals and aspiration in .a
human life,
It is my pimyer that all of us at this preciotcs Christmas season of
v .Hal y=l",9y3 . n - k ,�+w...
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