Confessional Lutheran theology, hagiography, philosophy, music, culture, sports, education,
and whatever else is on the fevered mind of Orycteropus Afer
28 December 2005
+ The Holy Innocents +
28 December, New Testament
This day commemorates the slaughter of Bethlehem's children by Herod the Great, as he attempted to destroy the Usurper to his throne. Herod, his jealosy inflamed by the account given by the Wise Men, sent his soldiers to kill all the town's boys two years old and younger in order to protect his throne and lineage. This was one of the last major decision made in a life filled with vainglory and increasing insanity.
The commemorations of Stephen, John, and the Innocents remind us that not all receive the Gift of Christmas with joy. However, God's plan of salvation spreads in spite of hatred. Even today, much of the world actively rejects the Gospel and persecutes those who preach and live it. But the Christian Church continues to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness in Christ because any people or places acting this way proves the need of the message we bear.
Lection
Psalm 124
Jeremiah 31:15-17
Revelation 21:1-7
Matthew 2:13-18
Collect
Almighty God, whose praise was proclaimed on this day by the wicked death of innocent children, giving us thereby a picture of the death of Your beloved Son, mortify and destroy all in us that is in conflict with You that we who have been called in faith to be Your children may in life and death bear witness to Your salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. ¶ 01:58 |
This day commemorates the slaughter of Bethlehem's children by Herod the Great, as he attempted to destroy the Usurper to his throne. Herod, his jealosy inflamed by the account given by the Wise Men, sent his soldiers to kill all the town's boys two years old and younger in order to protect his throne and lineage. This was one of the last major decision made in a life filled with vainglory and increasing insanity.The commemorations of Stephen, John, and the Innocents remind us that not all receive the Gift of Christmas with joy. However, God's plan of salvation spreads in spite of hatred. Even today, much of the world actively rejects the Gospel and persecutes those who preach and live it. But the Christian Church continues to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness in Christ because any people or places acting this way proves the need of the message we bear.
Lection
Psalm 124
Jeremiah 31:15-17
Revelation 21:1-7
Matthew 2:13-18
Collect
Almighty God, whose praise was proclaimed on this day by the wicked death of innocent children, giving us thereby a picture of the death of Your beloved Son, mortify and destroy all in us that is in conflict with You that we who have been called in faith to be Your children may in life and death bear witness to Your salvation; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. ¶ 01:58 |
