This document tells the story surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. It describes how he was born to die for the sins of humanity, with shadows of the cross already upon him. It explores the intrigue of the revelation from angels to shepherds and Mary, the politics involving King Herod and the wise men's gifts, the power dynamics as Herod seeks to kill the newborn king, and the unexpected nature of Jesus being born in the unremarkable town of Nazareth to ordinary parents. The greatest intrigue, it argues, is God's act of love in sending his son to save all who believe in him.

1. A Story of Intrigue
Surrounding
the Birth of the King

2. The Purpose of that
Holy Night
John 3:16, John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He
Gave His only begotten Son
That whosoever believeth in Him
Should not perish, but have everlasting life.

3. Born to Die
On the night Christ was born
Just before break of morn,
As the stars in the sky were fading,
O'er the place where He lay,
Fell a shadow cold and gray
Of a cross that would humble a King.

4. Born to Die
Born to die upon Calv'ry,
Jesus suffered my sin to forgive;
Born to die upon Calv'ry,
He was wounded that I might live.

5. Born to Die
Jesus knew when He came
He would suffer in shame,
He could feel ev'ry pain and sorrow.
But He left Paradise,
With His blood He paid the price -
My redemption to Jesus I owe.

6. Born to Die
Born to die upon Calv'ry,
Jesus suffered my sin to forgive;
Born to die upon Calv'ry,
He was wounded that I might live.

7. Still, Still, Still
Still, still, still:
The night is calm and still.
The Christ child in his crib lies sleeping,
Angels round him watch are keeping.
Still, still, still: The night is calm and still.

8. Still, Still, Still
Sleep, sleep, sleep:
Sweet Jesus, softly sleep,
While Mary sings and gently holds you,
Safely in her arms enfolds you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep: Sweet Jesus, softly sleep.

9. Still, Still, Still
Joy, joy, joy;
Glad tidings of great joy!
For through God’s holy incarnation,
Christ is born for our salvation.
Joy, joy, joy! Glad tidings of great joy.

10. The Intrigue
of Revelation
1. Betrothal
2. Mary’s missing
3. News!
4. Night musings
5. Angelic Revelation

11. The Intrigue
of Revelation
The Glory of God’s Revelation –
Transforms our darkest nights
into our most brilliant blessings

12. The Intrigue
of Politics
1. Herod the King
Idumean (Edomite)
Building projects–Temple, Caesarea
Allied by marriage w/ Sadducees
(religious aristocracy)

13. The Intrigue
of Politics
1. Herod the King
2. Wise men from East
3. “King of the Jews”
4. “Troubled!” Gold – King
Frankincense – Priest
5. Gifts Myrrh – Death!

14. The Intrigue
of Politics
The God
who governs the universe
makes even kings
to serve His purposes

15. The Intrigue
of Power
1. Another Dream
2. “Herod the Great”
Ruthless – won favor militarily
Deposed of his wife & several sons
“Better to be his dog than his son”

16. The Intrigue
of Power
1. Another Dream
2. “Herod the Great” - about to…
3. “Tricked (i.e., mocked) . . .
furious”
4. Sent & killed all male children

17. The Intrigue
of Power
True “greatness” –
Born to die for others,
but first to die to self
and live to God

18. The Intrigue
of Power
This life wasn’t to be taken,
but given.

19. The Intrigue
of Profanity
1. The carpenter’s dreams
3rd & 4th times
God spoke as many times to Joseph as He had
to all others combined
– Zechariah
– Mary
– Simeon
all “nobodies”
– Shepherds

20. The Intrigue
of Profanity
1. The carpenter’s dreams
2. Return to Israel
3. Withdrew to Galilee
4. A city called Nazareth
Can anything good come from Nazareth?
“No beauty that we should desire him”

21. The Intrigue
of Profanity
God specializes in
choosing & using
those who are otherwise quite ordinary,
or even rejected.

22. The Intrigue
of Profanity
Come to him,
a living stone – 1 Pet 2:4
rejected by men,
but in the sight of God
chosen and precious

23. The Intrigue
of Profanity
And whoever believes in Him
will not be put to shame
– 1 Peter 2:6

24. But, the greatest
intrigue of this story
remains…
God so loved the world that He
Gave His only begotten Son
That whosoever believeth in Him
Should not perish, but have everlasting life.

25. But, the greatest
intrigue of this story
remains…
“I came that they may have life
and have it abundantly.”

26. But, the greatest
intrigue of this story
remains…
“For He shall save His people
from their sins.”