What can we take away from Herod’s role in the Christmas Adventure?I like Tim Keller’s reflections from his book, Hidden Christmas, he says, ”In every heart, then, there is a ’little King Herod’ that wants to rule and that is threatened by anything that may compromise its omnipotence and sovereignty. Each of us wants to be the captain of our own soul, the master of our own fate. There is a natural...  Read More

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religio...  Read More

Though many of the religious leaders had found a way to thrive under Roman rule, there were still many who longed for the coming of the promised Messiah.  Undoubtedly, there were many prophecies recited and many hopes shared around camp fires and in small homes throughout the Hebrew countryside.Remember, more Hebrews lived outside of the cities than in them.  This meant the dominant culture was ag...  Read More

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of ...  Read More

IntroductionThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENShare a favorite Christmas tradition as it relates to the holiday story.  It may be a favorite song and why, or an ornament on your tree, or a family tradition, or anything else that you look forward to that c...  Read More

“After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.” Matthew 2:13-16 NLT  Read More