Merry 4th Day of Christmas

Merry 4th Day of Christmas! 

This is one of those days that is a mixture of Christmas joy along with reflection on something terrible and destructive. The mixture of the feelings of both joy and terror happening at the same time can be confusing! 

Why four Calling Birds on the Fourth Day of Christmas? 

Four Calling Birds represent the four Gospels and Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.   

The Feast of the Holy Innocents  

I think one of the most intense verses in the second book of Matthew are those that describe King Herod’s murder of baby boys. This massacre is known as the Feast of the Holy Innocents. These baby boys are remembered as the first to die on account of Jesus Christ.   

When Herod realized that he had been deceived by the magi, he became furious. He ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had ascertained from the magi. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more.” 
~ Matthew 2:16-18  

It is difficult to reconcile the joy and beauty of the Christmas season while also remembering the tragedy of the slain infant boys. Yet, isn’t that how life is? Terrible and bad things happen every day and yet there is also joy to be found in the midst of the suffering.  

As I have in past years on this day, I will pray for the protection of all pregnant women and their unborn babies, along with newborns and other vulnerable children and adults.   

Merry Christmas,
Karen  

Read more about the Feast of the Holy Innocents here:  https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/28-december-holy-innocents-martyrs-feast/