Merry Christmas

Jesus entered this world during the lifetime of Herod, a man who killed his own wife, his sons, and later ordered the slaughter of all children two years old and under. He even gave instructions that, upon his own death, all notable Jews be executed so that the day of his passing would be marked by national mourning. Because of him, Joseph and Mary had to become refugees and flee to another country. Thus, part of Jesus’ childhood was spent as his family escaped to a foreign land in order to preserve the life of their son.

After Herod the Great died, another uprising broke out against Rome, and the Roman governor Quinctilius Varus crucified 2,000 Jewish rebels around Jerusalem. Herod’s son Archelaus began to reign. Joseph and Mary returned, but this Herod was also cruel. He killed three thousand people in the Temple during Passover. Therefore, out of fear of Archelaus, Joseph and Mary did not return to Judea, but went instead to Galilee (Matthew 2:22). Herod Archelaus was so unbearable that even the Romans saw he was incapable of ruling, and they exiled him. Judea then became a directly governed Roman province, and Quirinius conducted a census of property and population.

This census was used to collect taxes directly for Rome. It caused deep resentment and resistance among the Jews, because it signified direct submission to a pagan authority and taxation by it. One of those tax collectors would later write a Gospel as a disciple of Christ. Judas the Galilean led a revolt, calling on the people to recognize no master but God alone. We read about him in Acts 5:35–39. His rebellion was brutally crushed and is considered the beginning of the Zealot movement—one of which would later become a disciple of Christ.

The next ruler appearing in our story is Herod Antipas, who would execute John the Baptist. Jesus Himself will call him “that fox” because of his deceitfulness (Luke 13:32). On the Roman side, we read about Pontius Pilate. At the beginning of his governorship, Pilate brought imperial standards bearing the image of the emperor into Jerusalem, creating fear for the purity of worship. The people protested for several days and were willing to die rather than accept them; at that time Pilate backed down.

In Luke 13:1 we read that people came to Jesus to tell Him that Pilate had killed Galileans while they were offering sacrifices to God. They wondered how such a thing could happen. In today’s world such events would be headline news; they were news back then as well. Pilate later plundered the Temple treasury—the korban—to build an aqueduct for Jerusalem.

The people protested again. Pilate ordered his soldiers to disguise themselves in Jewish clothing, mix with the crowd carrying clubs, and then beat the protesters. Many were wounded and many died. This was the bitter reality of the Gospel era into which the Messiah came.

He came to those who were poor in spirit—to strengthen them; to those who mourn—to comfort them; to those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness—to satisfy them; to the pure in heart—to bless them; to those who longed deeply for mercy—to show them mercy. He came to encourage all who were persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and to strengthen those who still would suffer and be insulted. This is how our brother Matthew tells us of Jesus’ first sermon in his Gospel.

Today many people in my country are displaced from their homes, yet through Jesus we have a Heavenly home. Some have lost children, parents, or friends, yet have found hope in Christ. Jesus came into a world like ours—marked by injustice, cruelty, pain, and instability—and He brought hope to those who needed it most.

If Jesus had not come the first time back then but would come today, it would not mean the end of wars, persecution, or death. But it would mean this: God is with us—Emmanuel. And God shares in our suffering and has prepared something better.

I want to wish you a blessed Christmas. I want to remind you that having a home is a great blessing. Having electricity is a great blessing (for we often have none now), having warmth is a blessing (it is 15 degrees Fahrenheit here today). Having loved ones near is a blessing. But above all, having Christ is the greatest blessing of all.

Merry Christmas to you.