“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” Matthew 2:1

“Now after the Magi had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him . . . When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the Magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. ” Matthew 2:13, 16

A child is born to save and other children die, because of his birth. How can we possibly reconcile the birth of Jesus, leading to the traumatic death of other little ones, because of his birth? In my mind, I hold this wild hope that some parents were able to hide their little boys, escape into the countryside and find a safe place, a hope more than one child survived Bethlehem’s massacre that day.

As Matthew wrote his gospel, he offered no reason, or logic to justify deaths of Bethlehem’s children, only naming their pain. “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.”Matthew 2:18

Whether taken by the violence of Gaza, hunger in Sudan, an illness or accident, the death of a child leaves deep scars and lasting grief. We see faces of pain in heart wrenching pictures of mothers holding their shrouded children in Gaza, or starving children in their mother’s arms in Sudan.

Amidst tears for Rachel’s lost children, Herod like cruelty flows through the generations, and centuries, where the innocent suffer and little children suffer the most. God must so weep over our inhumanity, whenever we allow little children to be harmed.

Mary and Joseph with the infant Jesus, fled to escape Herod’s soldiers. Like immigrants before and after, they flee searching for safety, away from violence and danger. They looked to Egypt for a place where they could raise their child, without fear. Mary and Joseph do find safety there. Someone welcomes them and helps the family find shelter. A door opens for Joseph to use his carpentry skills and provide for his family. In Egypt, they are safe from Herod’s evil intent.

Sometimes, I wish Matthew would not have included the Slaughter of the Innocents in his gospel. Then I could be blissfully unaware of Bethlehem’s lost children, dying at the order of a despot, or parallels to today’s traumatized children.

Matthew chose to make us aware of that traumatic moment, to encourage us to have compassion for those fleeing violence, and welcome them. Later Jesus would tell us that whatever  we do or not do, to welcome a stranger, it is as if we have done that to him.

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:36

Prayer:  God of Justice and Mercy, We wonder why the birth of Jesus is clouded by the death of Bethlehem’s children.  Our hearts ache for parents who have lost a child and pray for your tender comfort.  We think of Mary and Joseph, forced to leave their homeland  to protect their child, and the fear that drove their journey.   In our confusing world,  may we be instruments of your grace and compassion in whatever ways you lead us to be.   Amen. 

Additional resources for Advent through Christmastide, including a daily Advent calendar can be found here: Devotions for Advent to Epiphany   

The record of the Magi’s visit to Bethlehem and the Flight to Egypt is recorded in the book of Matthew 2:1-23.