Rome represented earthly power run by greed, and all that those things represent; selfishness and self-preservation, lust, jealousy, etc…. But Rome also represents the world we live in, where at every turn we “look out for number one” and do our best to have and be a little more than our neighbor.And yet, it is into this world that Jesus came, to show us a different way of living, a different kind...  Read More

For 14 years, I served as a campus chaplain at an Adventist University that was well known for sending student missionaries to serve around the world.  These students would take a year out of their collegiate career to teach elementary children in PohnPei, serve at an orphanage in Honduras, work on radio towers in far away lands so more people could have access to the good news of Jesus Christ.  W...  Read More

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