1. Christmas Banquet – Dec. 20 / 3:30 pm Christmas Banquet – Dec. 20 / 3:30 pm

7. True Christmas Carol The Ghost of Christmas Past

9. True Christmas Carol The Ghost of Christmas Past

10. True Christmas Carol For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and HE does according to His will among the host of Heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, “What have you done?” – Daniel 4:34b-35

11. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas A. Emperor Caesar Augustus - Principate - Ruthless military leader - Built Rome - Built Infrastructure - Made Decree Luke 2:1-3

12. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas A. Emperor Caesar Augustus 1. To enlist men into military 2. To collect taxes - Purpose of Decree

13. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas How Did Decree Work in God’s Plan? 1. To fulfill prophecy 2. To form unique picture But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth to Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. – Micah 5:2

14. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas B. King Herod - Brother-in-law (High Priest) - Uncle Joe - His Favorite Wife - Mother-in-Law - Alexander & Aristobulus - Antipater - #1 son - with blood on his hands

15. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas B. King Herod Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship. – Matt. 2:1f

16. Name a Star

17. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas B. King Herod – Matthew 2:3-5

18. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas B. King Herod 1. Link for the Wise Men 2. Enabled Prophecy to be verified 3. Tried to prevent if from happening - his role in God’s plan

19. Government’s Involvement in the 1st Christmas

20. Lessons to be Learned #1. God is in Control - Rejoice #1. God is in Control - Rejoice #2. If We in His Camp - Relax #2. If We in His Camp - Relax