Christmas Message from the Armenian Evangelical World Council

Christmas is the celebration of God’s incarnation, His coming into the world. God’s coming to us in Jesus Christ is the greatest news and the Greatest Gift to mankind. But the greatest news and the greatest gift is not necessarily received by all in the same manner. For example, on the first Christmas, the news of Christ’s coming to the world was received joyfully by the magi, “the kings of the Orient,” but was not received the same way by King Herod of Judea.

The Wise Men who came in search of Christ went straight to the capital city of Jerusalem, knocked on the door of King Herod of Judea, and inquired about the newborn king. That would be the logical place to begin. But their calculations proved to be false; he wasn’t there. Not that he was all that far away—he was about six miles down the road in the little town of Bethlehhem. Eventually, however, they found him, bowed down and worshipped him.

That was not the case with King Herod. When he heard the news of the newborn king, “he was disturbed and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3). A king upset by a baby. Cradle power unnerving a throne! A cradle that rocked a throne!

Herod’s troubled nature can be understood by the fact that he lived a life under the threat of the future. He did not want any rivalry. The “newborn king,” he thought, could be a threat to him.

While the Wise Men from the East, led by a star, ended their long and weary journey at the stable, King Herod’s troops swept down Bethlehem’s streets and left death and lamentation in their wake. While the Wise Men worshipped the Babe of Bethlehem and lavished him with their gifts, Herod’s swordsmen lashed out hell!

Little did Herod know that the Babe of Bethlehem did not want to replace him and become the puppet king of Judea. He was after something much greater than that. His kingdom was the human heart. He wanted the voluntary loyalty and devotion of all people everywhere. That is still his purpose today.

At Christmas time we celebrate God’s incarnation through the birth of an unusual baby who came to this world and gave his life in order to open the passage for human beings. Accepting Jesus as our Lord and King will enable us to walk with God again.

“Kristos Dzenav yév haidnétzav; tzézi, mézi médz avedis.” Christ is born and revealed; good tidings to you and to us.

Rev. Vahan H. Tootikian
Executive Director, Armenian Evangelical World Council