--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 19 number: 2 published: 1915-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "The Birth of Jesus," *Improvement Era* 19, no. 2 (December 1915): 99–101.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1902unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1902unse start_page: 99 end_page: 101 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1902unse publication_year: 1915 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1915, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Birth of Jesus Improvement Era Vol. XIX ' DECEMBER, 1915 No. 2 The Birth of Jesus The birth and mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ are divine. Some would pay homage to him only as the greatest of men and philosophers. But it is no ancient and serious error, but a truth, to know him as the Son of the Living God. He is in very truth what he himself declared himself to be, and what the writers of the New Testament, and his immediate followers testified he is. Men and women who know his birth and mission to be di- vine, prove their faith by their works. They strive to keep his commandments. They carry his message of salvation to the na- tions abroad that sit in darkness ; they rescue those who are in danger of perishing in sin, at home ; and, with enthusiastic zeal, promote that spiritual growth in the lives of people which has made the true followers of Christ, in very deed and in all respects, unique and superior. And so, on this returning day, celebrated as the day of his birth, we proclaim the glad message that the coming of Jesus Christ into the world was by far the greatest event in the history of the human race ; that he is greater, infinitely greater, than the greatest of men ever born upon the earth, and that he is the Only Begotten Son of God. He is the Savior of our race, the Captain of our salvation, and our Hope of eternal life. Only by faith in his divine birth and mission, and through his gospel plan rightly understood and practiced, may all men in all the nations of the earth find peace and salvation. "Now the birth of Jesus Christ," says St. Matthew, "was on 100 IMPROVEMENT ERA this wise: "When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the I loly Ghost. "Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing td make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife ; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people from their sins. "Now all this was clone, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being inter- preted is, God with us. "Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife : "And knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn son : and he called his name Jesus." St. Luke continues the story, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Csesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. "(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was gover- nor of Syria.) "And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth- lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David;) "To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. "And she brought forth her firstborn s,on, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. "And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them ; and they were sore afraid. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not ; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. "And this shall be a sign unto yon ; THE BIRTH OF JESUS 1U1 "Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. "And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. "And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." The Christmas Chimes "The Christmas chimes are pealing high Beneath the solemn Christmas sky, And blowing winds their notes prolong Like echoes from an angel's song : 'Good-will and peace, peace and good-will,' Ring out the carols glad and gay, Telling the heavenly message still, That Christ the Child was born today. "In lowly hut and palace hall, Peasant and king keep festival, And childhood wears a fairer guise. And tenderer shine all mothers' eyes ; The aged man forgets his years. The mirthful heart is doubly gay, The sad are cheated of their tears, For Christ the Lord was born today." Saratt Chauncey Woor.sF.v