Advent Devotion: Christmas Day

The King has Come!

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born…

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they[the Magi] returned to their country by another route…

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Excerpts from Matthew 2:1-18 NIV

In recent news, the Satanic Temple erected a Baphomet statue in the Iowa State Capitol. Many Christians were outraged across the U.S. The head of the Satanic Temple stated he did this to push for freedom from religion. A former marine, a former Iowa congressional candidate, was charged with vandalism for tearing it down—a modern Gideon, if you will. He stated it was unchristian. (Sabes 2023)

When I consider these events, I’m surprised at how so many Christians feel threatened. Instead of feeling threatened, they should be overjoyed. I think that they should realize just how threatened the Satanic Temple leader feels at the presence of Jesus on the Iowa Capitol grounds. Why are we so surprised and angered?

In Israel, when Jesus was born, He was recognized as the King of Israel, born of the house of David. Bethlehem was the home of David and the birthplace of Jesus, which fulfilled prophecy. This Baby, heralded by angels, drew the attention of shepherds and kings—Magi. One king, Herod, felt threatened so much that he ordered all baby boys from ages two and under to be killed in Israel because he was afraid a new king would replace him. That was one frightened king!

When we consider our King of Kings born in a stable-cave over 2,000 years ago, we shouldn’t be surprised today that some groups feel threatened by His presence, whether represented by a Nativity display or a cross in the town square. His presence through us is threatening, too. Instead of feeling fear, we should feel overjoyed that Jesus threatens the prince of darkness’ followers. Christians all over the world feel persecution of varying degrees because of Jesus’ presence in our lives. Jesus stated, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15: 18-19 NIV Not everyone loves the Baby in the Manger who grew up as the Savior of the World, and not everyone will love us because of Him.

During Christmas, let’s thank the Lord for His Son and the threat to darkness He represents. Let’s shine His light to everyone and not feel threatened by those who oppose Him. Love them instead. God’s love is the only way to overcome hate in the world.