Herod’s Christmas

Herod the Great was a complex figure in biblical history – a man of remarkable achievements who ultimately became consumed by his own ambition. Born an Edomite (essentially Arab by ethnicity), his family had converted to Judaism about 200 years earlier. Through political maneuvering and charisma, he became ruler not just of Judea, but of vast territories including parts of modern-day Jordan, Syria, and Babylon.

This man was no small-time ruler. Herod’s resume was extraordinary:

The temple he built was so magnificent that its white marble exterior would shine brilliantly in the sunlight, visible from miles away. When Jesus’ disciples marveled at its beauty, Christ prophesied that not one stone would be left standing upon another.

Herod’s story forces us to examine our own lives. What compromises have we made to get where we are today? Perhaps we’ve:

Herod’s obsession with power led him to horrific acts. Despite loving his wife Mariamne, he had her and their children executed based on palace intrigue and lies, fearing they threatened his throne. He had 14 children from eight different wives, many of whom he later killed. The Romans mockingly said it was better to be Herod’s dog than his family member.

This reveals the dangerous progression of unchecked ambition – it eventually consumes everything we claim to love and protect.

Near the end of Herod’s reign, wise men from the East arrived following a new star. These were likely astrologers from the Parthian region (modern-day Iran and surrounding areas), possibly part of the Jewish diaspora who understood biblical prophecy.

When they asked about the “King of the Jews,” something deep within Herod recoiled. This title represented everything he had fought for, schemed for, and killed for. The thought of another claiming it created a visceral, uncomfortable response in his soul.

After consulting the scriptures and learning the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Herod told the wise men to find the child and report back “so that I too may worship him.” But his true intentions were murderous.

The wise men expected to find the newborn king in a palace – don’t we all? We often expect our Christian lives to be filled with comfort, predictability, and material blessing. But the star led them to a humble carpenter’s home, where they found a teenage mother and her baby boy.

Without questioning the humble circumstances, these foreign visitors laid their precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh before the Christ child and worshiped Him. Meanwhile, Herod waited with murderous intent.

When the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and Joseph was told to flee to Egypt, we see God’s protection over His Son. But Herod’s response was swift and brutal – he ordered the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old.

The uncomfortable truth is that we all have a “Herod” within us – that part of our human nature that resists surrendering control to Christ. We may know all the right answers, sing the worship songs, and attend church regularly, but when faced with truly letting Jesus be King of our lives, do we experience that same visceral resistance Herod felt?

Making room for the newborn King means:

This Christmas season, we must honestly examine our hearts and ask: Is there room for the newborn King in my life? We need to pray that the “Herod” within us – that part that clings to worldly power and success at any cost – will die so that Jesus Christ can truly come home to our hearts.

The wise men found Jesus in the most unexpected place and worshiped Him without reservation. They didn’t let humble circumstances diminish their recognition of His true identity. When Christ comes again, will He find us ready to receive Him as our King, or will we be too busy protecting our own kingdoms?

Questions for Reflection: