Please enjoy this series of Christmas Classics written by our Founder, Dr. Paul D. Lindstrom for his radio program “There’s No Place Like Home.“
Good News
We read in Matthew 2:10, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” The familiar story of Herod and the wise men is a fascinating parable of how the news of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ so effectively separates people into two great companies. The Gospel of Christ means, literally, “good news,” but most people tend to react as though it were bad news.
Herod Was Troubled
When the wise men came from the east, searching for the newborn Savior, this glorious news was received badly right where it should have been received most gladly. We read in Matthew 2, that when Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. Herod was an Edomite, representing the Romans, but the Jewish leaders were equally unresponsive. The priests and scribes, knowing the prophetic promises, could tell the king where Christ would be born (Matthew 2:5,6), but they were merely troubled along with the others in Jerusalem. Neither Herod nor the Jewish leaders were glad for the news, and neither would join in looking for the Savior. Later, they all tried to slay him.
The Wise Men
The wise men, on the other hand, rejoiced with exceeding great joy when they found him (Matthew 2:10). After worshipping Him, they departed into their own country another way, no doubt with lives changed, as well as itineraries. Some, like Herod, react with fear and hatred at the hearing of Christ, setting about to destroy the gospel by persecution. Others in the scholarly community, like the priests and scribes, seem to react with learned indifference, but when confronted more directly with their own hypocrisy, also eventually resort to persecution. There are always some, however, who, like the wise men, are joyous and will worship Him.
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Learn More About Us:
Christian Liberty Homeschools wishes you blessings for this Advent and Christmas season. During this time, Christians reflect on the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and the hope these biblical messages instill in their faith.
We are available for you at: www.homeschools.org
We love to hear about our students’ Christmas traditions. Learning family traditions is so important to homeschooling.
Share your favorite tradition in the comments.