Last updated on August 16, 2022
December 28th on the Western Church Calendar marks a day I honestly had not noticed before this year: the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The day commemorates the following event that takes place after the Wise Men visit Jesus and choose not to return to King Herod (which they had previously been asked to do in Matt. 2:8 but were warned against in a dream, Matt. 2:12)
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18 (ESV)
Historians and biblical scholars often dismiss this report as legend, though I would argue it did actually happen, and not just because it’s in the Bible. This particular Herod would have quite a few people killed, especially toward the end of his rule and, since his slaughter focused on a small town like Bethlehem, it’s unlikely that other authors would have recorded the event. It may not have been a huge number of children, but that is beside the point. In some traditions, including Catholics, these children – “The Innocents” – are the first martyrs, even before Stephen! The day is sometimes called “Childermas” or “Children’s Mass” as a result.
The Anglican Collect for the day below provides ample provocation for reflection and prayer. It also brings to mind the modern-day Innocents slaughtered by abortion. I’m not sure it makes sense to call them martyrs, but their murder is undoubtedly unjust.
This day is also a reminder of the extraordinary shift that Christianity brought to the ancient world, which historically viewed children rather poorly. The disciples’ own rebuke of the children in Mark 10:13 is emblematic of the times. But in the next verse we read:
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Mark 10:14-16 (ESV)
This is such a beautiful picture of Jesus and who he is. Jesus is not “unapproachable” or too important or too busy for kids. Indeed, we are called to follow the example of these children, embracing the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness like children running to the tree on Christmas morning.
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