In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”

The reaction of the wise men to Christ’s coming is joy. Herod’s reaction is fear. What could he have feared from the birth of the Messiah except the loss of power, influence and control over the Jewish people?

Christ seeks to enter into our lives in many and varied ways. How often do we greet that knock with fear? Fear that we will lose our position of influence with others, fear of the personal sacrifice which may be asked of us, fear that we will have to end certain bad behaviors, fear of change. We do not want to change. There may be no end to the fears which arise when we sense the Holy Spirit blowing through our lives. And so like Herod we can seek to stamp out Christ. Oh we tell ourselves that we would never seek the death of a child. But no less serious is deliberately shutting the door of our hearts when Christ knocks. “Be alert at all times and pray that you may stand secure before the Son of Man” (Luke 21.36).