Saturday 28 December 2024
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. (v. 16)
Background
The story of the birth and early life of Jesus includes being born far from home, in an uncomfortable and unsafe environment, fleeing as a refugee for safety, and the terrible loss of life of innocent children caused by a despot fearful for his own position and power.
Having learnt from the wise men of the birth in Bethlehem of Jesus described by some as the 'King of the Jews', Herod ordered that all the young male children under the age of two years be put to death, in case one of them is Jesus. This terrible event is remembered as 'Holy Innocents Day'.
Herod’s motivation seems to be a desire to remove any threat to his power. For some years, this day has been chosen by Christians involved in work for peace and social justice to draw attention to the suffering and deaths of innocent people today as a result of war and injustice. A key verse from this piece of scripture echoing the prophet Jeremiah is: “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.” (v. 18)
We cannot but think of all the places in the world, including our own towns and cities, where parents' voices can be heard, lamenting the death of their children. It is important for us to recognise that the birth of Jesus Christ is marked not only by poverty but, according to the gospels, by imperial violence striking out to kill the innocent and vulnerable. The birth of the son of God among us, by its very happening, invites us to rule out our participation in killing and all injustices. God chooses to side with human beings and honours human life by becoming human, like us in all things but sin – which is what violence is. With the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, among us, we are called not to hurt or kill one another, or else we hold the God of peace, who became one of us, in contempt.
To Ponder:
- What does it mean for us to hold all human life as holy? Does that invite us to do anything differently?
- How important is it for us to be able to weep and lament those things which cause us distress? What do you feel called to lament today?
Bible notes author: The Revd Helen Cameron
Helen Cameron is a presbyter of the Methodist Church and currently serves as President of the Methodist Conference.