Holy Innocents

Surrounded by presents and tinsel, peaceful nativity scenes and Christmas goodwill, it is easy to forget the full reality of the Christmas event. 


At the time of the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph were travellers. Their homelessness may have lasted several years and involved a journey of several hundred kilometres from Bethlehem to Egypt, and back to Nazareth.  

The readings of today's feast of the Holy Innocents remind us of the most significant trial this new family faced.  As the madman Herod used some of his last breaths to overcome the rumoured 'new King of the Jews' at his birth, Joseph and Mary fled to the safety of Egypt.

That is a substantial trip. We know this from the Old Testament account of Moses leading the people of Israel (in the other direction) over the same ground. It took them forty years.

Tragically children are no safer today than they were 2000 years ago. Of course we rail in horror at Herod's mass killing of young children. We are horrified because these children had been born and had names. Had their lives been taken before birth, twenty-first century New Zealand would have little concern. 

We know this since in 2010 there were 16,210 abortions recorded in New Zealand. This is around 800 times the number of children killed by Herod. (We know that the population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth was around 600 people, 20-30 of whom would have been under two years of age). 

Herod's evil action had tragic consequences; certainly for the children, their families and their little town. Perhaps Herod too could not cope with his action - within a year he was dead.  

The taking of innocent life always has traumatic consequences.    While we know that all children who are the victims of such decisions, then as now, are with God, we pray with them for those who are unable to see past their own fears and who take out their insecurities on the most innocent and vulnerable.     

The sixteenth century "Coventry Carol" is a hymn for today's feast.

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Lullay, thou little tiny Child,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,

For to preserve this day

This poor youngling for whom we do sing

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Herod, the king, in his raging,

Charged he hath this day

His men of might, in his own sight,

All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!

And ever mourn and sigh,

For thy parting neither say nor sing,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.