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Commentary

Don’t Let Herod Spoil Your Christmas

Tue, December 20, 2016   |   Author: Rod Taylor   |   Volume 23    Issue 51 | Share: Gab | Facebook | Twitter   

We all know about the “wise men from the East” who followed the star in their search for the Christ Child. They were wise enough to seek Christ and also wise enough to outfox King Herod. When the wise men left Herod’s court to continue in their search, Herod tried to fool them. He tried to use them. He wanted them to show him where to find the Infant King, pretending that he also wanted to worship; his real motive was jealousy and he planned to kill the Messiah. Foolish Herod! The wise men saw through his wicked plans. Rather than betray the Holy Child, they took another route home, avoiding Herod.

By disobeying Herod’s command, they risked their own lives. Their protection of the baby Jesus also put others at risk. King Herod—blinded by rage when he realized the wise men had given him the slip—sent soldiers to brutally murder all the male children under two years old in Bethlehem. When those in power feel threatened, they may go to any extremes to hold onto power. Long before the birth of our Lord, Pharaoh had baby boys killed in Egypt to stop the growth of the Israelite population. It didn’t work. At that time, brave Jewish midwives disobeyed Pharaoh at the risk of their own lives and baby Moses was protected by his parents and his sister from being put to death in infancy.

There is a cost to obedience; but there is a greater cost to disobedience. If not for God’s people taking risks, where would we be today? In 2016, dictators still want to crush those who might interfere with their plans. It’s hard for us to imagine the brutality of Pharaoh or Herod today but it happens every day in China where mothers are forced to abort by the state. In Liberia, I am told that politicians sometimes hire witch doctors to offer child-sacrifices to improve their chances of electoral success. In Canada, our politicians may be more sophisticated but the result is the same or even worse. Over 100,000 innocents are killed by abortion each year. Now the elderly and the disabled have been added to the list of victims. Young peoples’ lives are being destroyed by politically-correct propaganda about gender and behaviour. Those who resist this madness risk fines and jail time. Last week, our friend Mary Wagner was arrested again for offering roses to pre-abortive women. A teacher in BC was fired for telling his class he does not approve of abortion. Other teachers are told they must tell their students that homosexuality is as equally appropriate a lifestyle choice as traditional heterosexuality. Failure to comply could mean the loss of their jobs. In Manitoba, a marriage commissioner was told he cannot refuse a marriage certificate to a same-sex couple.

The powers that be in our country feel threatened and they are seeking to impose their agenda on the rest of us by brute force, by government fiat, and by ever-more-complicated legislation designed to make biblical morality a thing of the past. As we celebrate the birth of Christ in this special Christmas season, let us resolve to be as wise as the wise men who faced Herod and as brave as the midwives under Pharaoh’s pressure. Let’s be as bold as Peter and John and Paul who refused to compromise for the sake of an easier life. Let’s protect the name of Christ and make Him known! Let’s defend the honour of our King! One day every knee shall bow to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; let’s not wait for that day. Let’s bow our knees today and let’s openly confess our love for the Saviour of mankind. This is a time for boldness and confidence.

For all of you and your families, Elaine and I and the CHP National Board wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your family and church celebrations be times of reflection and gratitude. Don’t let Herod spoil your Christmas! Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

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