SOMEONE WHO MISSED CHRISTMAS
- Key Verse
- Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men ... Then he told them, 'Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!' When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. (Matthew 2:7-8, 12, NLT)
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Central Truth
Some people were present when Jesus was born, but they missed Christmas!
Reflections
Herod was the king of Israel at the time of the birth of Christ. When the wise men arrived to ask for the birthplace of the new-born king of the Jews, Herod was very disturbed about this potential rival for his throne. Widely known as a very suspicious and paranoid leader, Herod had ordered the assassination of his wife and three of his sons because he felt that they were a threat to him. When the wise men were warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod after seeing the baby Jesus, Herod then ordered the killing of all boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and younger. Although he was the most powerful person in the land, Herod missed Christmas because he cared more about position, power, and prestige as king. Instead of giving Jesus Christ the worship He alone deserved, Herod instead desired His death.For myself, growing up in a country where Christmas is the most popular holiday, I also find that many are in danger of missing the main point of Christmas - the person of Jesus Himself. As a child, Christmas was a time to be celebrated by the giving and receiving of presents, hopefully influenced by that time to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I wanted! As adults, many become so engrossed with getting what they want, or with keeping what they have, that they miss the main point - the main person - of life. The meaning of Christmas is that God, the King of heaven and earth, humbled Himself to become a human being! For us as Christ-followers, we follow His example by giving up control and kingship and make way for the coming of the CHRIST as king, and master, and leader of our hearts and lives. At every time of the year, let us remember the example of Herod who, for all his power and authority, completely missed the person and purpose of the coming of Christ!
Discussion Questions
1. What types of things, or feelings, or possessions in my life could keep me from realizing and living out the meaning of the coming of Jesus Christ?2. In what ways do I try to be in control of my life and ignore Christ's leadership?
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