"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 1:11
How wonderful this was! We must remember who it was, that was thus born. The birth of another child in this world was nothing strange, for thousands of children are born every day. But this was the Lord of glory! This was not the beginning of His life. He had lived from all eternity in Heaven. His hands made the universe. All glory was His. All the crowns of power flashed upon His brow. All mighty angels called Him Lord. We must remember this, if we would understand how great was His condescension.
Every schoolboy has read that Peter the Great left his throne, and in lowly disguise apprenticed himself as a carpenter. Among the common laborers he wrought, dressed in their working-garb, living in a hut, preparing his own food, making his own bed. Yet in doing so, he never for a moment ceased to be the emperor of Russia. His royal splendor was laid aside for a time; his regal power and majesty were temporarily veiled beneath the disguise he wore; but there was never an hour when he was not an emperor.
Just so, Christ's glory was folded away under robes of human flesh. He never ceased to be the Son of God; and yet He assumed all the conditions of humanity. He veiled His power, and became a helpless infant, unable to walk, to speak, to think, lying feeble and dependent in His mother's bosom. He veiled His knowledge, and learned as other children do. He laid aside His sovereignty and His majesty. What condescension! And it was all for our sake, that He might lift us up to glory.
It was as a Savior that He came into this world. He became Son of man — that He might make us sons of God. He came down to earth and lived among men, entering into their experiences of humiliation — that He might lift them up to glory to share His exaltation!
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.