When Heaven Came Down - December 17 Devotion

The Rage Behind the Crown

? Matthew 2:7–8 (CSB)
“Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.’”

? Devotional Thought:
Herod was lying.
He didn’t want to worship Jesus—he wanted to eliminate Him.
His words were polite. His tone sounded spiritual.
But his heart was full of rage.
That’s how evil often works.
It hides. It manipulates. It pretends.
Herod reminds us that spiritual warfare is real.
Behind the beauty of Christmas is a battle.
Behind the joy of Jesus’ birth is an enemy who wants to destroy hope.
But here’s the good news: God is never caught off guard.
Even when kings rage, God reigns.

? Talk About It:
Why do you think Herod pretended to worship?
Can people still fake faith today?
How can we make sure our worship is real and not just for show?

? Tradition Tie-In: Truth and Pretending
Play a game where each person says two truths and one lie. Then guess which is false.
Talk about how God sees our hearts—and how He desires truth on the inside, not just outside appearance.

? Closing Prayer:
Lord,
You see through all pretending.
Keep us from having hearts like Herod’s.
Give us honest faith, pure motives, and true worship.
Even when evil schemes, remind us that You are in control.
Amen.