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178
From Here to Forever
The Jewish leaders were without excuse if they did not know. Their
ignorance was the result of sinful neglect.
With profound 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. The people
should have been watching that they might welcome the world’s
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Redeemer. But at Bethlehem two weary travelers from Nazareth
traversed the length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of
town, vainly seeking a shelter for the night. No doors were open to
receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last
found refuge, and there the Saviour of the world was born.
Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to those prepared
to receive it and who would joyfully make it known. Christ had
stooped to take upon Himself man’s nature, to bear infinite woe as
He should make His soul an offering for sin. Yet angels desired that
even in His humiliation the Son of the Highest might appear before
men with a dignity and glory befitting His character. Would the
great men of earth assemble at Israel’s capital to greet His coming?
Would angels present Him to the expectant company?
An angel visited the earth to see who were prepared to welcome
Jesus. But he heard no voice of praise that the period of Messiah’s
coming was at hand. The angel hovered over the chosen city and
temple where the divine presence had been manifested for ages,
but even there was the same indifference. The priests in pomp and
pride offered polluted sacrifices. The Pharisees with loud voices
addressed the people or made boastful prayers at the corners of
the streets. Kings, philosophers, rabbis, all were unmindful of the
wondrous fact that the Redeemer of men was about to appear.
In amazement the celestial messenger was about to return to
heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovered a group of
shepherds watching their flocks. As they gazed into the starry heav-
ens, they contemplated the prophecy of a Messiah to come and
longed for the advent of the world’s Redeemer. Here was a com-
pany prepared to receive the heavenly message. Suddenly celestial
glory flooded all the plain, an innumerable company of angels was
revealed; and as if the joy were too great for one messenger to bring
from heaven, a multitude of voices broke forth in the anthem which
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