![HolyInnocents]()
December 28 – The Holy Innocents
The Fourth Day of Christmas
16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,[i] 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.[j] 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “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)
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
Alas, tyrants are not the only problem here. Beware the zeal of your own devotion, lest you find it leaving Innocent Victims in its wake.
~ Will, ObJN
Filed under: All the Saints, My Thoughts, Scripture Tagged: Holy Innocents, saints, victims
