Christmas Eve – 11 PM Service

“What Does This Mean? King Herod’s Perspective on Christ’s Birth”

Luke 2:1-7

Rev. Dr. R. Tim Meadows

The rumors of my impending demise have been the worst part. For months now I’ve heard about how there is a new king, a prince of peace, a ruler of the nations. For months now, I’ve heard that he is the long awaited Messiah from the line of King David. For months now, people have asked each other, and some have even asked me, “What Does This Mean”?

Just a few days ago, these astrologers stopped by looking for that young man. They said they had been following a star that appeared, and that they had gifts to give to this child and his family. I seized this opportunity to gain information and cut a deal with them. They are going to come back this way after they find the child and tell me where he is. When this happens, I will be able to give a definitive answer to that nagging question “What Does This Mean”? Because at that point it will mean that I will eliminate the problem! There can be only one king in the land, and I Herod, I am that king! There can be only one person who gets the people’s allegiance. There can be only one person who gives the people direction. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE KING, AND THAT IS ME! When those guys get back, I’ll take their information and eliminate this Prince of Peace.

In the meantime, I’m left to wonder about this Son of David. Who is he? What kind of family does he come from? Rich or poor, common or influential? Where was he born? What does his family plan for his life if he is lucky enough to elude my plan to eliminate him? Who will be interested in his so called plan for peace, or anything else that he has to say?

Power, is an interesting thing, you know. I can command and control almost anything in the kingdom with just a word or two. I have virtually unlimited authority and security. And yet, despite these things, power is a fragile thing, upset by the least rumblings of a threat. Which is why that nagging question “What does this mean”? will haunt me until I can give a decisive answer. I wonder how this prince of peace would be affected by power? I wonder if he will try to grab all he can get? I wonder if like me, he will be willing to eliminate whatever stands between him and power, even if that is a family member? I wonder how he would wield power? Oh, Well none of that matters, because I will see to it that he never comes to power!

Those astrologers should have reported by now. I wonder what has happened to them? Oh Well, I guess I will have to hunt them down and deal with them in the same way I plan to deal with this presumptive king. What Does This Mean? This birth. This Prince of Peace. This Messiah. I know precisely what it means for me! Do you know what it means for you?