When we think of Christmas, joy and peace and celebration come to mind. And even when we think of that first Christmas, we remember angels singing and shepherds praising and wise men worshiping. We think of “good tidings,” “Glory to God in the highest,” “gold, frankincense and myrrh,” and even “my eyes have seen your salvation.” But not everyone was happy on that first Christmas. There is at least one villain in our story. There is at least one person who tried to stop the celebrations and who felt threatened by the birth of this baby. That was Herod.
However, while we can understand why Jesus may have been a threat to Herod, we explain that Jesus was and continues to be a threat to far more people. Scriptures referenced include Matthew 2:1-22; Acts 26:1-29; Matthew 14:3–4; Luke 5:8; Matthew 10:35; and Mark 1:15.
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