R.A. Torrey emphasizes the significance of Jesus' birth as the Prince of Peace, highlighting how He was despised by man yet honored by angels. The sermon reflects on the humble circumstances of His birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy, and the lack of room for Him in the hearts of many today. Torrey discusses the joy of the shepherds who received the angelic announcement and their eagerness to witness the Savior, contrasting their faith with the indifference of others. He encourages believers to respond to the good news of Jesus with joy and testimony, as exemplified by the shepherds. Ultimately, the message challenges listeners to consider their own reception of Christ in their lives.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. The Prince Despised by Man, vv. 1–7 (Isaiah 53:3) How many years before, and by whom, was it prophesied that the Christ should be born in Bethlehem? (Micah 5:2). What decrees and deeds of man worked together to fulfill this prophecy and purpose of God? What does this prove? Where did the Prince of Peace begin His life on earth? Where did He close it? Why did He not begin His earthly life in the inn? Why did He close it so prematurely? In how many places is there room for Jesus to-day? Why have men no room in their hearts for Him to-day? When there was no room for Jesus in the inn, what ought to have been done? What ought we to do when there is no room in our hearts for Him? 2. The Prince Honored by Angels, vv. 8–14 (1 Peter 1:12) To whom was the announcement of the birth of the Christ made? Have we any evidence of spiritual fitness on their part? (v. 15). Have we any evidence that they were waiting, longing and looking for the coming of Christ? (v. 16). What was Zacharias doing when the angel spoke to him? (Luke 1:8–11). What were the shepherds doing when the angels spoke to them? Why did God reveal Himself to the shepherds while they were keeping watch over the flocks, and to Zacharias while burning incense? Was it very pleasant work to keep watch over the flocks? Did it pay? What was “the glory of the Lord” that shone round about them? Where alone did “the glory” manifest itself? Why then was it manifested at the birth of Jesus? Where did the disciples behold “the glory”? (John 1:14; 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6). What was the effect of all this upon the shepherds? Why? In what way does the supernatural usually affect men? Why? What was the angelic salutation? How frequently is this the message God’s messengers bring? (Look up the words “Fear not” in a concordance). What cure for fear did the angel propose? What sort of a thing according to the 10th verse is the Gospel? Is it “good tidings of great joy” to you? What was the Gospel the angel declared? What was the Gospel Paul preached? (1 Cor. 15:1, 3, 4). Which is the fuller Gospel? According to man’s notions, where would He that was to be Saviour, Christ and Lord be most likely to be found? What strange sign of the advent of the Saviour, Christ and Lord did the angel give the shepherds? Did the shepherds need that sign as a confirmation of their faith? (v. 15). What is all that real faith ever asks for? (Ro. 10:17; John 20:29). How did the angelic world receive the announcement of a Saviour born? How does this world receive it? What idea as to the feeling of the angels is suggested by the word “suddenly”? What, according to the angelic song, would be the result of the birth of the Saviour? To whom is this peace? (See R. V.) Who are the men “in whom He is well pleased”? (Find a Bible answer to this question). 3. The Prince Joyfully Received by the Believing Few, vv. 15–20 (John 1:11, 12) How did the shepherds show their wisdom? What words are suggestive of important lessons in this resolve? How did they know that the thing announced had surely “come to pass”? What was their object in going? When any great truth is “made known unto us,” what ought we at once to attempt to do? What is there in the text that shows their eagerness to see this new-born Saviour? How many persons in the Gospel story came to Jesus with haste? Are many as eager to see Him to-day? What did the shepherds find? How did they know beforehand that they would find just that? What did they do as soon as they had seen it? What ought every one of us, to whom the good news of salvation comes, to do? What did they tell? What did Mary do with the great truths? What ought we all to do with them? Did the shepherds remain in Bethlehem? Why not? What did they do as they went from the place of revelation to the place of service? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. God (1). Glorified: By the fulfillment of prophecy, 1, 7; by the birth of the Saviour, Christ and Lord, 14; by His believing children, 20. (2). Reveals His truth: To lowly men, while at their post of duty, 8; if they will only believe, test, 15; testify, 17; return to their post and praise and glorify Him, 20. 2. What to Do with the Word (1). The shepherds: Heard the Word, 10; believed, tested, 15; testified to, 17; glorified God for the Word, 20. (2). Mary: Kept, pondered the Word, 19. 3. What to Do with Jesus The shepherds: Heard of Jesus, 11; came at once to Jesus, 15; saw Jesus, 16; witnessed concerning Jesus, 17; praised God for Jesus, 20. 4. What Not to Do with Jesus Have no room for Jesus, shut Jesus Out, 7. “What then shall I do with Jesus?”