When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he became enraged. He sent men to kill all the children in Bethlehem and throughout the surrounding region from the age of two and under, according to the time he had learned from the wise men.
The Apostle Matthew, Matthew 2:16
King Herod was jealous of Jesus. His goal was to keep the power that he had as king and Jesus was a threat to that goal. The wise men describe Jesus as the King of the Jews so Herod took action.
Jealousy is a motivation that many people hold in common with Herod. During Christmas, greed and jealousy can overshadow the true joy and message of the season. These motivations do not need to control us. The beauty of Christmas is that we no longer are obligated to allow our sinful impulses to guide us. We can live a life free from such sin. All we need to do is accept the good news that a Savior has come to rescue us, then live the kind of life Christ showed us was possible to live.
Our hope for you today is that you live beyond your natural jealousy and live controlled by the impulses of Christ.
Bonus Content:
The hymn “A Child of God” by Barney Warren provides for a sharp contrast to the words of this devotion. The jealousy and sinful impulses do not have to be the norm. We are after all “Saved from sin today, every band is riven!”
Praise the Lord! my heart with His love is beaming,
I am a child of God;
Heaven’s golden light over me is streaming,
I am a child of God.
Refrain:
I am a child of God,
I am a child of God;
I have washed my robes in the cleansing fountain,
I am a child of God.
Let the saints rejoice with my raptured spirit,
I am a child of God;
I will testify that the world may hear it,
I am a child of God.
Let a holy life tell the gospel story,
I am a child of God;
How He fills the soul with His grace and glory,
I am a child of God.
Saved from sin today, every band is riven,
I am a child of God;
Through the tests of life I have peace from heaven,
I am a child of God.
With much love,
The Downings
Thanks for the Christmas devotions!
Have been blessed by reading your Christmas devotions and am encouraged to look up some of the hymns that are unfamiliar to me. Thanks