Today is the 5th Day of Christmas.
(Transferred from yesterday) Eucharistic Readings for “Holy Innocence”
Jeremiah 31:15 to 17; Psalm 124; Revelation 21:1 to 7; Matthew 2:13 to 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.” (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18)
The writer of the Gospel according to Matthew repeats words written in the journal of Jeremiah. He adds to them as one builds on a previous foundation. I think we all should do this. I will do so a little here.
I know a Rachel 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. We should all be Rachel; we should all be Saint Nicolas (Santa Claus).
The first Herod, called Herod the Great, was great at building water ducts from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Coast, and who ruled Judah around the birth of our Lord Jesus. But he was not great as a compassionate ruler; he was an evil monster and baby killer as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. He felt threatened by the Newborn King. If I find myself to be the leader of a people, and I want what’s best for my people, and I find that someone else is better suited to lead, whoever he or she might be, then I welcome in the better leader and just relax.
Is there is a biblical foundation that inspires you to build on? Please do it, we need it. Lead me.
We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 5
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 238)
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 and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 