Feast of the Holy Innocents
“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
‘A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.’”
Matthew 2:16-18, NIV
December 28 is the date set aside in our calendar as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. King Herod, who ruled the Jews when Jesus was born, had heard of a new king born in Bethlehem. He sent the Magi to look for this child whom he feared would cause him to be overthrown. Instead of reporting back to Herod, the Magi returned home by another route.
Herod took the most drastic action to ensure the security of his throne by ordering the death of all the boys who were near the age of the newborn king. Even though all the innocent children were not Christians, they are remembered as martyrs because they died at the hands of the king who tried to kill Jesus.
As we honor the innocents from the first century, we also remember that there are many innocent people, children and adults, who are innocent victims of violence in our world. We keep in our prayers those who die as a result of civil discord as well as those who are victims in war zones around the world, especially those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Collect for the Holy Innocents
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, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
“The Book of Common Prayer,” page 238
