Missing Person

This last Sunday, DH and J stayed home sick from Church. Not a big deal, but it gave M and I a chance to have a really good conversation in the car on the way home. Pastor David's message had been about the different people in Matthew's narrative of the Birth of Christ. The one that stood out to my 7 yo was King Herod. He is such a key figure in the story, but he is often overlooked. And yet, his presence does need to be keenly felt. King Herod brought about a terrible tragedy for the nation of Israel of that day (Matt 2:18). He represents everything that Christ came to defeat with his birth, perfect life and sacrificial death. And he brought about the fulfillment of prophecy.
However, it's uncomfortable to talk about the role he played and so we tend to skip over him. After all, he butchered babies in a jealous rage. Who wants that in a play set? Come to think of it, have you ever seen him portrayed in any Nativity scene?

Oh, wait. There he is...over there on the right side. Take a closer look...

In the car M decided that we needed a figure of King Herod for their Nativity set. So with a little Model Magic, Marvy markers, paint, embossing powder and a sword that I just happened to have lying around (!!?!), we are now the proud owners of what may be the very first King Herod action figure in history. At least, I'd like to think so.

But, of course, he dies in the story, and so we had to make him reversible. On the front side he wears an evil scowl and on the back...well...he's dead.

See, that's the great thing about having a conniving, wicked liar as part of your Nativity set. He gets defeated. Our Savior, through His Father's almighty power, escapes Herod's murderous hand and grows up to fulfill God's perfect plan for our salvation.
It's not a carefully edited touchy, feely Baby story on the Discovery channel. It's a true story about a universal power struggle and the ultimate victory over Sin and Death by Christ on our behalf. How can you adequately tell that story if the antagonist isn't even represented?