1 Samuel 20:6 If your father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city… I. REMEMBER TO EXALT GOD IN YOUR FAMILY FESTIVITIES. II. THOROUGHLY SURVEY THE HISTORY OF THE YEAR SINCE YOUR LAST FAMILY FESTIVITIES. 1. It was a yearly sacrifice. Year short space in time, but may be long in events. What changes may crowd into its weeks. Christmas does not always find the family in the old home. 2. On some homes shadows lie thick, others bathed in sunshine. Here Jacob has lost his Joseph, or Rachel mourns her children; here sportive childhood cries, "Oh, call my brother back to me, I cannot play alone." 3. And then, they who come to the festivities come from such various scenes. Here at Bethlehem was David from the court; and Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah from the camp. 4. Nor will any true heart give a secondary place to changes on character the year has produced. III. CONSIDER THE PERSONAL OBLIGATIONS EACH OWES TO THE FAMILY. IV. IN YOUR FESTIVITIES THINK OF OTHERS. (G. B. Johnson.) Parallel Verses KJV: If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family. |
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