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The Nativity Story
The Nativity Story follows four people: Jesus, Mary, Joseph and King Herod. The story focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, however, it also tells of the persecution of the Jewish people under the ruthless King Herod. King Herod was the governor of Judea, now in Israel. He is first mentioned in the Nativity Story because of a prophecy that is told to him. It is said that he will be overthrown as king of Judea by a Jewish child. Herod then orders every Hebrew baby that is less than two years old to be executed in order to stop the prophecy from occurring.
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During the time of the infanticide, the three Magi come to see Jesus’ birth and to deliver the gifts. On their way, they stop at Herod’s castle and are told to return to Herod and tell him where Jesus is so he can worship him as well. That night, the Magi have a dream that they should not return to Herod. At that same time, Joseph has a dream that he and his family must flee Israel. The story ends with the death of King Herod from a painful and debilitating disease. The prophecy of Herod came true in a different way that he believed it would come about. Jesus returns to Israel and begins preaching, gaining enough prominence with the people that his enemies would later call him “King of the Jews.”
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