Scripture: Matthew 2: 13-18

I invite you to walk with me into the first Christmas Story. A story filled with angelic announcement, heavenly music, traveling star, wise men worshiping and the baby of Bethlehem lying in a manger. Yet the first Christmas story is shadowed by a trauma---a terror that descended on the Holy Family and the inhabitants of Judah. The story is interspersed with a story of terrorism. Lest we forget, the gospel narrates for us some major episodes of terror for our abiding memory.

Baby Jesus is the target of terrorism. Herod, the then ruling king, is afraid this baby will be a threat to his power and aspirations. Hence he orders a state-sponsored terrorism. This terrorist act targets all children under two. Herod's purpose is to kill Jesus. Consequently all children in this age group are indiscriminately targeted.

During Christmas celebrations, we often forget the killing of these innocent children. We do not want to be reminded of the tragic event to overshadow our joyous celebrations. Hence many churches and leaders ignore this part of the story. Nonetheless, some congregations remember to remember this traumatic story, the Sunday after Christmas every year as the Slaughter of the Innocents.

This story of terrorism begins in this way. Mary and Joseph are warned of the impending danger. They bundle up Jesus and flee to Egypt as refugees, while Herod’s bloody massacre ensues. The reign of terror lasts for years. Only when Herod dies and the baby is no longer a baby can they return home.

Unlike Mary, other mothers lose their infants. The gospel does not say how many babies died. But it must be well into the thousands. The gospel captures the trauma of these mothers for us. "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation.

Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more" (Mat. 2:18). The visitation of terror comes to them indiscriminately and unexpectedly. In heretofore unthinkable magnitude with weapons and soldiers. It is an instance of indiscriminate use of state-sponsored terrorism.

The grace-filled, redemptive story of Christmas is set side by side with the horrible event of mass killing, parents bereft of children. This Christmas, like the first Christmas story, brings the poignancy of birth while grief still clings to our hearts. Terrorism is seared into our memories as burning and crumbling buildings. The indelible scar of terrorism left its mark on Mary. May we too remember the whole story of the earliest Christmas so that we create a world safe for all children.

REFLECTION:

(1) Who are the "Rachels" across the nation who are crying because of the slaughter of their innocent children?

(2) Who are the "Rachels" worldwide today who are crying because of the slaughter of innocent children?

(3) As victims of terrorism, can we build bridges, and address the root causes of terrorism? How?

(4) Is there a way you and your family can celebrate Christmas in a way that incorporates the sad realities of this year as well as the sad realities of the Slaughter of Innocents when Jesus was born?

 

PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, more than ever, I realize that through my suffering I am united with the suffering of others. Lead me into a deeper understanding of what it is to be a Christmas person in the midst of terrorism. Through the One who drank the cup of suffering, while young, and rose again triumphant, Jesus the Christ. Amen.