December 28, 2022 – Christmas +3 Days

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs

“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18

Feast of the Holy Innocents, also called Childermas, or Innocents’ Day, is a festival celebrated in the Christian churches in the West on December 28 and in the Eastern churches on December 29. This day commemorates the massacre of the children by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:16–18).

It is probably odd to many people that we lift up the killing of the innocents by Herod, yet it is a reminder that G-d’s salvific plan has been at odds with evil and it’s forces since the beginning of time. Herod could not take a chance that another king was present in his realm — even if the king was two years old. So he tried the equivalent of the Hail Mary ordering the killing of every child around the age of the reported king. But as we know, his plan did not work out. Mary and Joseph were warned by a messenger from the Lord, and they fled to Egypt. Eventually the forces of evil will kill the baby Jesus, but he will destroy the power of death for ever through the resurrection. Let us remember that throughout history, and each and every day there are many people who face danger for being a follower of Jesus. Being a disciple does not guarantee us safety and health, but it does guarantee us life eternal.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we remember today the Holy Innocents. Help me to remember the needs of all children and infants today and every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave