Christmas and Herod

A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick


When the million lights have vanished, and they take the festoons down;

When earth's once golden glitter has turned to gray and brown;

When the bells have hushed their music and the carolers depart,

Then help me, Lord of giving, keep Christmas in my heart.

When the gifts have all been given, and the merry words decrease;

When all the feasting is over, and the cheerful greetings cease;

When the trees have lost their glory, and we have much less of mirth;

Then, God, let me remember why Jesus came to earth.

Christmas Prayer - A Poem by Lon Woodrum (1901-1995)

``There came wise men from the East. ... The star, which they saw in the east, went before them till it came and stopped over where the young child was.'' -- Matthew 2:9

NEW ITEM FROM BETHLEHEM (Associated Press) --Biblical scholars and astronomers say there are a variety of possible scientific explanations for such a sustained and glowing light in the heavens.

    1. Halley's comet, which returns every 75 or 76 years, would have been visible in the night skies around 10 B.C., with a trailing tail that could have appeared to point in the direction of Bethlehem. The comet theory is bolstered by a reference in Matthew to the wise men seeing the star twice. Halley's comet is visible for several weeks, then passes behind the sun and reappears.

    2. Given less credence is the possibility of a nova, or a new star, which would appear initially brilliant and then fade within a few months. One was documented by Chinese astronomers around 5 B.C.

    3. Other astronomical occurrences during the reign of King Herod merit attention. Astronomers found that in 7 B.C., Jupiter and Saturn would have appeared very close together, casting a bright combined glow similar to that of a single large star. The following year, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were also closely aligned. A similar alignment of Jupiter and Saturn occurred in October of 1991, affording modern-day stargazers with a biblical bent a chance to imagine how the journey could have unfolded. Because of the way the road rises, then takes a turn just outside town, the light actually appears moving over Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:8 - "Go and Make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me,so that I too may go and worship him."

Introduction:

    A. We all know that this was a wrongly motivated request. King Herod was historically known for his cruelty, even killing his own mother and two sons out of jealousy and fear for his throne. And later we find out that he indeed tried to do away with this new threat by having infant Bethlehem boys killed.

    B. Normally, that's as far as we take it, Herod the evil king, a tool in the hand of Satan trying to thwart the purpose of Christ's coming. But first, let's consider ourselves to be Herod for a moment. Perhaps we're not totally unlike him.

      1. Someone comes and tells us that God wants to be King. Isn't that threatening?

      We want to be free, which means to be in control

      Perhaps especially difficult is the idea of giving that up control to an invisible ruler.

      2. But further, what would it be like if we did what Herod wanted, but with proper motives?

I. Be open to listen to people who claim having had a spiritual experience (and be willing to search the Scriptures to find the answers - like the "Bereans")

Suggestion: Look out for someone you can talk with to receive their account of what God has done in their life.

II. Search diligently, carefully.

    A. The word "akribos" = accurately

      1. Luke 1:3,4 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

      2. Acts 18:24,25 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.

    B. Of course, you can't delegate the search - each one searches and finds for him/herself

      1. Perhaps compared to getting an education - can't have someone else go to class and take the exam

      2. Parents need to pray for their children, but you can't do the searching for them

    C. Scripture often speaks of this search

      1. Job "Oh that I might know where I might find Him"; "He will be found of those who diligently search Him"; "Early will I seek your face"; "Seek first the Kingdom."

      2. But is God hard to find? Often we've heard this testimony, "I didn't find Him, He found me" Like the shepherd and the lost lamb. But also: Matthew 13:44-46

      "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "

      Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

      3. Perhaps we should say - "He is searching for those who are searching for Him." The lost lamb really wants to be found! Or, He feeds those who are hungry.

III. Worship Him - of course Herod didn't intend to do this, but the wise men did it

    A. Consider Him worthy of praise, and do it

    B. But worship is not merely just what we do in church, it also means:

      1. to submit to Him (receive guidance, obey, live our lives pleasing to Him),

      2. to serve Him (represent Him in the world),

      3. and bring Him valuable gifts. Note, we generally give gifts to those we feel are valuable. Our children, our parents, perhaps siblings. There are exceptions, of course- sometimes we give out of a feeling of being obligated.

Conclusion: As we consider the various aspects of the Christmas story, let's not forget Herod. There are lessons we can even learn from him.

    Receive from others

    Search for Christ

    Worship Him

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