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God Honors the Humble
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the result of sinful neglect.
God did not send his messengers to the palaces of kings, to the
assemblies of philosophers, or to the schools of the rabbis, to make
known the wonderful fact that the Redeemer of men was about to
appear upon the earth. The Jews were building monuments for
the slain prophets of God, while by their deference to the great
men of the 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 what profound and reverent interest should the elders of
Israel 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! Oh, why were not the
people 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 appearance 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
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would joyfully make it known to the inhabitants of the earth. Christ
has stooped to take upon himself man’s nature; he is to bear an
infinite weight of woe as he shall make his soul an offering for
sin; yet angels desire that even in his humiliation, the Son of the
Highest may appear before men with a dignity and glory befitting his
character. Will the great men of earth assemble at Israel’s capital to
greet his coming? Will legions of angels present him to the expectant
company?
An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome
Jesus. But he can discern no tokens of expectancy. He hears no
voice of praise and triumph that the period of the Messiah’s coming
is at hand. The angel hovers for a time over the chosen city and the