Should We Really Be Surprised Christians Are Persecuted at Christmas?

Everyday as I read through persecution news, especially at this time of the year, I am not surprised that Christians are being persecuted.  I'm also not surprised that even here in America, we are being discriminated against more and more.


Picture 24 Even today I read this article about how Orissa is expecting a Dangerous Christmas.  I could not help but to think about the FIRST Christmas.  If you know your bible history, then you know that there was this really rotten evil wicked king by the name of Herod who wanted Jesus killed so bad that he set an order to have all baby boys two years old and  under killed.


16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,


 18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
 19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
 20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.
 21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.


In order to understand why Herod was so mad, you have to read the beginning of Matthew 2, which just describes how Herod was trying to be crafty and find out where the toddler Jesus was.  However, because the Lord is really cool, he warned Joseph and also revealed to the wise men not to tell Herod because they knew Herod wanted to kill Jesus.  So when Herod found out about this, he got really mad and killed all the boys two and under with the hopes that one of them would've been Jesus.  


Jesus was believed to be around two years old by the time the travelers got to Him.

So, all that to say, that we really shouldn't be surprised that even during Christmas time, Christians and the name of Jesus is persecuted.  Times have not changed and thankfully neither has the most awesome news of the world.

Unto Us a Savior Is Born!