The Star of Christmas What was it?. Every time I think that “nobody is THAT stupid” something...

The Star of ChristmasThe Star of Christmas

What was it?What was it?

Every time I think that “nobody is THAT stupid” something like this comes along. What is wrong with these people? It’s a friggin’ tree! Exactly who is offended?

The Star of Christmas The Star of Christmas Matthew 2:1-16Matthew 2:1-16

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.the reign of King Herod.

• This account is not a fable…This account is not a fable…• It is history that It is history that correctscorrects our Christmas our Christmas

fables!fables!– ““The Census” – not earlier than 6 BC.The Census” – not earlier than 6 BC.– Quirinius as Governor: no earlier than 6 BC.Quirinius as Governor: no earlier than 6 BC.– Herod died in 4 BC.Herod died in 4 BC.– Born some time between 4-6 BC.Born some time between 4-6 BC.

Of all scriptures, Of all scriptures, only the Bible’s spiritual only the Bible’s spiritual teachings are rooted in teachings are rooted in historical events that historical events that can be verifiedcan be verified


Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.the reign of King Herod.

About that time some wise men from eastern About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and and all Jerusalem with himall Jerusalem with him..


He called a meeting of the leading priests and He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is is the Messiahthe Messiah supposed to be born?” supposed to be born?”

““In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: is what the prophet wrote:

‘‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

“…“…From you One will go forth From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternityfrom the days of eternity.”

For a child will be born to us, a son For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; will be given to us;

… … And His name will be called And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6Isaiah 9:6


Then Herod called for a private meeting with Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.time when the star first appeared.

Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”can go and worship him, too!”

Then when Herod saw that he had been Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had according to the time which he had determined from the magi. determined from the magi. Matthew 2:16Matthew 2:16


After this interview the wise men went their way. After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!they were filled with joy!

They entered the house and saw the child with his They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and mother, Mary, and they bowed down and they bowed down and worshiped himworshiped him. Then they opened their treasure . Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. and myrrh.

That night there were shepherds staying in the That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” great joy to all people.” Luke 2:8-10 Luke 2:8-10

And suddenly there appeared with the And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” pleased.” Luke 2:13-14 Luke 2:13-14


Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?” Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?” • The “Magi” had no “Bible”The “Magi” had no “Bible”• Probably astrologers…Probably astrologers…

• Not God’s Not God’s preferredpreferred approach! approach!• Yet God brought them to Yet God brought them to the Messiahthe Messiah


Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?”Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?”A:God Meets You Where You’re ATA:God Meets You Where You’re AT

For since the creation of the world His For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20Romans 1:20


Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?”Q:What about “The Man in Borneo?”A: God Meets You Where You’re ATA: God Meets You Where You’re AT

• You’ll either You’ll either SEEKSEEK or or SUPRESSSUPRESS the the knowledge that you have a Creator.knowledge that you have a Creator.

• God is not an Impersonal ForceGod is not an Impersonal Force• God is not a trite ‘spirit of the wood’God is not a trite ‘spirit of the wood’• HEROD is HEROD is Accountable!Accountable!

• The Magi were The Magi were SEEKERS.SEEKERS.


Q: What about Q: What about “The Scribes?”“The Scribes?”A: A: They could They could care lesscare less!!

You are already filled, you have already You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings! become rich, you have become kings! 1 Corinthians 4:8 1 Corinthians 4:8


Q: What about Q: What about “The Scribes?”“The Scribes?”A: A: They could care less!They could care less!

““70% - 94% of young 70% - 94% of young people are leaving the people are leaving the traditional church after traditional church after high school… and very high school… and very few are returning”few are returning”

• 63% don’t believe Jesus is 63% don’t believe Jesus is the Son of the one true Godthe Son of the one true God

• 58% believe all faiths teach 58% believe all faiths teach equally valid Truthsequally valid Truths

• 51% don’t believe Jesus 51% don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead.rose from the dead.

• 68% don’t believe the Holy 68% don’t believe the Holy Spirit is a real person.Spirit is a real person.

• Only 4% believe the Bible is Only 4% believe the Bible is God’s WordGod’s Word

According to this study, According to this study, there is no more than a there is no more than a four percent (4%) four percent (4%) difference between …difference between …Christian and non-Christian and non-Christian youngChristian young

people.people.


Q: What About HEROD?Q: What About HEROD?A: A: Avoidance, AttackAvoidance, Attack

• Herod was Herod was KINGKING!!• We, too, are Sovereigns!We, too, are Sovereigns!

• ““Open” to God’s suggestions…Open” to God’s suggestions…He was in the world, and the world was made He was in the world, and the world was made

through Him…He came to His own, and through Him…He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive those who were His own did not receive Him. Him. John 1:10-11 John 1:10-11



What he got: The Sovereign ChristWhat he got: The Sovereign ChristAuthority: “The right and power to command,

enforce laws, determine, influence, or judge.”



What he got: The Sovereign ChristWhat he got: The Sovereign ChristThe Crucified Christ!The Crucified Christ!• He died for YOUR violations…He died for YOUR violations…• He offers forgiveness He offers forgiveness without cost!without cost!But as many as received Him, to them He gave the But as many as received Him, to them He gave the

right to become children of God, right to become children of God, eveneven to those to those who believe in His name, who believe in His name, John 1:12John 1:12

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The Star of Christmas What was it?. Every time I think that “nobody is THAT stupid” something...

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