"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." Matthew 2:16
Herod had faked his desire to worship Jesus to the wise men (Matthew 2:8.) God knew of Herod's hatred and fear of Jesus, though only a Baby, and countered his deceit toward the Child (Matthew 2:12.)
The issue today, as was then, is not about holidays or holy days; not about commemorating Christmas or not; not about greeting people with "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." The firestorm centers around keeping Jesus Christ alive or allowing Him killed off by His enemies. The controversy is not about a manger scene, nativity display, a star in the east or wise men bringing gifts. The issue was then and is still now, is Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world?{C}