Upcoming Presentation
GARY HARTZELL / BIT PLAYERS IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY: AUGUSTUS, QUIRINIUS, & HEROD--WHO WERE THESE PEOPLE?
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.” But who was Quirinius? Why would the Roman Emperor Augustus issue such a decree – if he ever did? Why was King Herod so “exceedingly wroth” that we are told he “slew all the children that were in Bethlehem from two years old and under”? Augustus, Quirinius, and Herod seem to be minor characters, but these historical figures actually were essential to the development of the Christmas story as we know it. No Augustus = no trip to Bethlehem. No Quirinius = no Roman overshadow. No Herod = no threat to the Christ child. These “bit players” framed the story. Please join us at 8:30am in the Assembly Hall or on zoom at http://zoom.us/j/3103723898 as Gary takes us on a fascinating trip into the history of the Christmas story.