Holy Innocents, Martyrs

During this octave of Christmas, the Church remembers and celebrates the babies and smallest children whose families lived in and around Bethlehem, who were put to death at the terrible command of King Herod when he was seeking to kill the Newborn King. These little one’s innocent lives bear witness to Christ, who was persecuted from the time of His birth by people who refused to receive Him.  Their innocent lives are a prophecy of Christ, for their blood was shed by an evil king for the sake of the King of Kings.  They didn’t choose this martyrdom, but usually martyrs don’t choose to be martyrs.  Objectively they were martyrs. 



It was Jesus Himself whose life was at stake in this mass-murder of little ones.  Already the choice, for or against Christ, was clearly before the powerful of the world.  These children’s deaths reveal that the power of those who persecute Christ, while real in this age, in the end, turns out to be fleeting.  For Christ came to rescue you and me from sin and death.  His mission was one that no national leader could prevent.  For, when Christ was seized by His enemies, at the time chosen beforehand by the Father, it was to offer the only sacrifice great enough to redeem you, me, the Holy Innocents, and the whole world.  It was the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of the Son of God.


So our Christmas joy is tempered today a bit by sadness for the Holy Innocent children whom King Herod chose to murder.  He wanted to kill them, but he gave them their birth into eternal life.  We know the whole story; we can look at the glory that those innocent victims.  It’s a glory that nothing on earth can take away, the glory of those who behold the Face of God, joyfully following the Lamb wherever He goes.

By contrast, think of the fate of King Herod.  If he hadn’t felt so threatened by the prospect of another king, if he hadn’t been so desperate to preserve his power, if he’d been willing to bend his knee to the One True Lord, then today he would be ruling forever, seated with Christ on a throne, in the majesty of eternity.

Today, on this feast of the Holy Innocent children of Bethlehem, it’s an excellent time for each of us to bless, in a special way, our children and grandchildren.  Consecrate them to Jesus and Mary.  Perhaps make a sign of the cross on each one’s forehead and say, May God bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Whatever you do, pray for them without ceasing.

Holy Innocents, pray for us and for our national leaders!

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