Today, December 28, we remember the massacre of the innocent children of Bethlehem by the order of King Herod.  When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them: Slay the children from two years old and under.  Mary was afraid and took the infant Jesus and put him in an ox stall.  Elizabeth took John up to the hill country to conceal him. 

The story assumed an important place in later Christian tradition. Byzantine liturgy estimated 14,000 Holy Innocents, while an early Syrian list of saints stated the number at 64,000. Coptic sources raised the number to 144,000.  Taking the narrative literally and judging from the estimated population of Bethlehem, the Catholic Encyclopedia more soberly suggested that these numbers were all inflated considerably.  Even if the number was 25 to 50, there is no doubt that these children were innocent.

Children today still become innocent victims and we ask God to receive into His arms of mercy.  School children die at the hands of random gunfire.  Young ones suffer at our border crossing and are separated from the families they love.  Children are hungry, even in our land of abundance.  Sons and daughters are abused in dysfunctional families.   So many are scarred by bullying from their peers.  My heart sorrows for each and every one.

Where is our hope?   We ask God to guide our leaders, that they may use law and policy to protect these most innocent among us.  We ask Him to open our hearts and hands to reach out personally in whatever way is opened to us.   God your love for these innocent young ones is unconditional, as it is for us.  Use us to share that love.

A favorite hymn for this day of observance is “Lord of all Hopefulness.”  The music by Slane is traditional Irish, text by Ian Struther, 1901-953.

Enjoy.

Judy