Transcript
Rabbi Schneider (0:00)
If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Dear Heavenly Father, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, remind us of the profound journey he embarked upon for our sake, a journey that called for sacrifice, selflessness and enduring love. This Christmas, as we exchange gifts and share in festivities, may we also remember the greatest gift of all, Christ, who came not just to be born in a manger, but to lay down his life for us. Empower us with the same mind and will of Christ who set aside his comforts to carry his cross. Show us every day how to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, serving and loving those around us. Thank you for the priceless gift of your Son and the invitation to follow Him. Fill our hearts with gratitude, love and true joy this Christmas. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Stay tuned now for another episode of Stories of the Messiah with Rabbi Schneider.
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Narrator (3:16)
The winds of change swept across Israel with increasing fervor. It was as if the very breath of God stirred the dust between the Roman ruled province, whispering of a tumult yet to unfold. Rebellion and discord long smoldering in the hearts of the oppressed Hebrews started to spark. A group of rebels known as the Dagger Men grew by the day. Some knew them by a different name, the Zealots. They were men of tact, skill and secrecy. Fueled by Roman hatred and a desire to usher in Israeli independence. They assassinated some of Caesar's highest ranking officials. They were growing in number and needed to be stopped. Caesar Augustus, ruling from the heart of the Roman Empire, was not ignorant of these dagger men. His eyes, though distant, were sharp and his paranoia simmered alongside the rebellion. He had not risen to power by being ignorant. In a move uncharacteristic of Roman custom, he issued a decree, one that both revealed his desperation for control and reflected his fear of the burgeoning unrest. Each individual under Roman rule, from the richest aristocrat to the poorest shepherd, was to be counted in a census. But it was not to be an ordinary census. No, this one bore the insidious mark of Caesar's paranoia. The people were required to return to their ancestral homes, the towns of their forefathers, to be registered and accounted for. To execute this decree, Caesar dispatched Quirinius, the stern and unwavering governor of Syria. We cannot stop these Zealots unless we disorganize them, Caesar told Quirinius. Therefore, we will force every man to travel, uproot them and their families. This will make them vulnerable. Corineus agreed and immediately began preparations to force the census upon the people of Israel.