"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him... and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under..." - Matthew 2:3, 16

From a purely political perspective, Herod's response to off the baby Jesus makes perfect sense. He knew, and the power brokers in Jerusalem knew, what all this potentially meant. If the Christ was among them, then the social and political world of Palestine would change and change might bring about personally undesirable results.

In other words, if the Christ was among them, their positions of influence and power and standing and control were threatened. To an outsider king over a people who were longing for the Messiah, word of Jesus' birth is no Gospel at all. It is not Good News. For Herod, the birth of the "king of the Jews" is a political threat, a threat to be squashed at all costs.

Talk of Richard Nixon's political career has reemerged in recent weeks with the release of tapes and transcripts of the former President's words. Like many in power, Nixon was a gifted statesman and politician, but inner demons and complete paranoia plagued his presidency. Herod, it seems, shared this kind of insecure paranoia. "The press is the enemy. The press is the enemy. The press is the enemy." ranted Nixon. I can hear Herod muttering, "No child will take my throne. This child will NOT take my throne. The baby is the enemy. The baby is the enemy. The baby is the enemy."

Not of pure Jewish descent, Herod must've been more than a little paranoid about various happenings in Palestine and so the Good News is not readily received. The words "king of the Jews" provide no reason for Herod's joyful celebration but is instead a reason for suspicion. His response reflects his own insecurities.

But what about us? How do we respond to the Good News of Christmas? With guarded indifference? With humble submission? With joy? With bitter resentment? Are we guarding our personal kingdoms against Christ's kingship?

It's easy to cast stones at Herod for his foolishness, but I wonder if we've sufficiently surrendered this Christmas season. Gregory the Great insightfully observed: "When Herod learned of the birth of our King, he resorted to crafty measures to prevent his earthly kingdom from being endangered... Herod symbolizes all those who, falsely seeking after the Lord, never manage to find him." There are many who falsely seek the Lord, those who sincerely long for God's help but often want but a blessing or a quick fix to a series of rebellions and poor choices.

The coming of Christ is always joyous, but it is not always easy for us. Herod was deeply disturbed by Christ's coming because he saw him as a threat to his throne. Are we disturbed by Christ's coming? Does Christ come to us as one offering consolation? Or does he come as one challenging our status, our way of doing things, our wealth, and our positions of prestige?

During this Advent season we must ask if we are acting as little Herod's, securing our reign over our little kingdoms rather than submitting to Christ's lordship.

Jesus has come to brings us peace, but there will be no peace in our world until we surrender. He has come to bring you peace, but there will be no peace in your life until you surrender.