This is the Fourth Day of Christmas
Eucharistic Readings for Holy Innocence
Jeremiah 31:15-17; Psalm 124; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew 2:13-18.
“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 2:18 and Jeremiah 31:15)
This Matthew reading comes from the sadness of the atrocities of Herod in the slaughter of the innocent babies in and around Bethlehem in his effort to kill the new born King. The quote is a repeat of the Prophet Jeremiah who spoke of Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin who lived by the way, but Rachel herself died (Genesis 35:17 to 19). This requires deeper pondering.
I know of a Rachel today who has no children, and yet, she is a perfect mother. She is kind and gentle, very smart and nurturing. Children, when we are blessed with them, are a gift from God. And because they are precious in God’s sight, they should be precious in our sight as well. After all, we are made in the Image of God. This is why I often ask us to pray for our schools. Our schools hold and build our future. Pray for teachers also.
We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for our schools, and as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)
Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
onewhoponders 