The tragic Parallel: Death of Children in Gaza and the Massacre of Children in Bethlehem (The Holy Innocents)
Innocence Lost: Lessons from Bethlehem to Gaza
Monthly Archives: December 2024
Innocence Lost: Lessons from Bethlehem to Gaza
The tragic Parallel: Death of Children in Gaza and the Massacre of Children in Bethlehem (The Holy Innocents)
On these days of Christmas, we celebrate the joyous event of the birth of Christ, the prince of peace. But Christmas also reminds us of the tragic event of the Massacre of Children in Bethlehem also known as Holy Innocents. December 27 we commemorate the feast of Holy Innocents.
The nativity story found in the gospel according to Matthew tells us that once the wise men notified Herod that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he instructed them to find the baby and then come back to him to tell him where he was so that he may “worship” the new king. Later when wisemen were instructed by the Angel to not go back to Herod the King, Herod was infuriated and ordered the death of several children.
The recent loss of innocent children in Gaza has once again brought to the forefront the tragic echoes of the past. In present days also we see leaders directly and indirectly lending a hand in the massacre of children.
In contemplating the parallels between the tragedies in Bethlehem and Gaza, we are confronted with perplexing questions. How can the innocence of children become entangled in the web of human conflict and power struggles?
Herod’s killing of children did not help him in killing the prince of peace, Jesus. Neither will the present-day massacre of children. This Christmas we all are called to stand against such atrocities and not to stand with ‘the Herods of our time’.
Let us remember these Holy Innocents along with all the children who are suffering, in prayers.
Fr. Rijo Geevarghese
The Mystery of Nativity
The Mystery of Nativity Explained: Light, Hope, and Salvation
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲
The mystery of Nativity/Christmas, where Virgin Mary becomes the living bush that bore the divine flame—Christ Himself—without being consumed. Just as God’s presence in the burning bush sanctified creation, Christ’s birth renews and illumines the world. The rays in the icon symbolize the light and hope of the Incarnation, dispelling darkness and bringing salvation.
𝘈 𝘩𝘺𝘮𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘚𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘙𝘢𝘮𝘴𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺,
“Prophet Moses saw a fire,
Which rested on a bush, and it was
Not burned by the flames.
Like that bush, the Virgin was
Not burned by the flame of the Son of
God who dwelt in her.”
This Christmas, may we, like Mother Mary, prepare our hearts to receive the divine flame, allowing God’s presence to sanctify and transform us into vessels of His peace and love, bringing light to those around us.
Icon written by the unworthy hands of
Fr Rijo Geevarghese
Graphē 