Feast of the Holy Innocents

Like all tyrants, Herod feared any challenge to his position. No star would guide him to the real King of the Jews and he thought he had made himself secure when he murdered all the infants in the region of Bethlehem. He did not know that the one he sought was safely away from his power,  and that he himself had not long to live. The wonderful birth of Jesus brought a cruel response from an evil heart, as many today still refuse his offered love.

Taken from Stations of The Nativity by Raymond Chapman. Also called Meditations on the Incarnation of Christ. - There are 14 stations. Massacre of the Innocents is the 13th station.

Collect

Heavenly Father,

whose children suffered at the hands of Herod,

though they had done no wrong:

by the suffering of your Son

and by the innocence of our lives

frustrate all evil designs

and establish your reign of justice and peace;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,   

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen