Herod's Heart

Another look at the birth of Christ on that heavenly night has forced me to ask myself a few probing questions. What if I were a shepherd on that heavenly night? Would I have frozen in my tracks, or run and never looked back? How do I presently respond to someone believed to be a God filled person? What if I were one of those three wise men? Whether by geography or by persecution, how far has my faith taken me? Whose words have my highest devotion? Is it the king's word, the government's word, my religion's word;or is it God's Word? Would I have obeyed the king out of fear? Or would I have been brave enough to evade a king? What if I were king that night in stead of Herod? How do I feel about my position in life? Am I worried, protective, or secure? Does my job or career depend on my ability and cleverness? Must I cherish it, hold on to it, and fight off all opposing forces perceived to be against me or my position? Would I have decided to murder the innocent just to protect my throne? Would I have sought to kill or to worship the Christ child? What if I were one of those priests and teachers of the law that night? Would I have believed the Scriptures to be the absolute truth that night? Would I have considered it to be as relevant as those teachers of the law? What about now? Do I believe the Scriptures to be the absolute truth for us today? What if I were Joseph looking for a room for Mary to give birth? What if I were an Inn Keeper in the town of Bethlehem that night? Would I have said, I'm sorrow, no more room", and closed the door? When asked for one thing, do I even bother to offer an alternative? Do I seek first to give of myself, or do I prefer to send them to the government? Do I really do unto others as I would have them do unto me? This night O God, afresh, you are causing me to consider my ways. I see no star nor host of angels, but you are speaking loud and clear. 12162017 PS