“God’s Love” Late Mr. N. Daniel

December is a great month. What an ennobling and sanctifying thing is the remembrance of the birth of Christ! Till we understand Christ, we cannot understand the holiness of God. What a holy God He is! John the Baptist said, ‘I am not worthy to untie the shoe laces on the feet of Jesus.’

What kind of woman was Mary, the mother of Jesus? When we think of her we are filled with awe at her holiness, humility and every kind of virtue. She lifted womanhood to the highest place. Joseph and Mary were both led of the Spirit and in their home was Jesus brought up.

Joseph belonged to the line of David. He had to go to Bethlehem, about 80 miles South of Nazareth, with Mary about to bring forth her first child. Maybe they had to travel for four days halting at Sychem or Bethel and crossed Jerusalem. They ascended the small hills of Bethlehem and were happy to arrive at last at their destination by sunset perhaps. They found a room only in a cattle shed. God the father gave Jesus a place in a cattle shed with very little comfort. Round about Bethlehem were pasture lands where lambs and kids were growing. For the Passover festival they needed 300,000 lambs in Jerusalem. They were supplied from the pastures of Bethlehem. And now the Lamb of God Himself had come there and He was going to be offered for the sin of the whole world.

Christ was born. The bells of heaven began to ring. Angels left their home and came to the earth. They rejoiced to sing “Glory to God in the highest. Peace on earth. Goodwill towards men.”

Ethically the greatest thing a man can possess is good will. There is no sin of any kind in goodwill. You may aspire to do good. But it may have an adverse effect. But goodwill is pure: If you have good-will you will rejoice saying, “Oh, God has given to my sister better clothes than to me. I praise God.” The world is suffering because there is no goodwill among people. A man of God will not think of himself. He will pray, “Lord, what you have given me of this world is small. But You have given me Your peace and I enjoy Your presence. But this man enjoys the fat of the land. Will you not vouchsafe to him your presence also? Let him enjoy the best that I enjoy.” You will never be sad that you don't have this or that. You are satisfied with what God gives you. “God has given me this one shirt. That is enough. It is now torn a bit. I will mend it and use it. Thank God He has given me a way to do it,” you'll say.

GOODWILL! What did Jesus have? Always goodwill even for His enemies.

If your brother is weeping you mix your tears with his and thus share his sorrow. If your brother is laughing, you can join in louder and add to his joy. Reducing others' sorrow and multiplying their joy! What a great gift Jesus gives us!

What a wonderful month this is! Year after year we think of a holy, immaculate Saviour. Oh we can't fathom His love. What blessed people we are!