joy of nine9

The Holy Innocents, victims of a jealous, power crazed tyrant  ultimately triumphed! They are Saints of God, as this painting by William Holman Hunt shows. The Innocents are with the Holy Family, in spirit, during the Family’s Flight to Egypt.

Yet the fact remains that amidst all the sweet images of God becoming a tiny infant, we are reminded that humanity’s cruelty could not be stopped by the all-powerful God; God always gives us free will. Even in the face of the greatest miracle of all times,  Herod chooses to kill all children age two and under in Bethlehem, hoping by this to also kill the Christ Child.  “Rachel Weeping for Her Children,”   in St. Matthew’s Gospel (2:16-18), is a reference from the Prophet Jeremiah (3:15-17).

Coventry Carol

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

O sisters too, How may we do
For to preserve this day
This poor youngling,
For whom we do sing,
By by, lully lullay?

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

Herod, the King, In his raging,
Charged he hath this day
His men of might,
In his own sight,
All young children to slay.

Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay, thou little tiny child,
By by, lully lullay.

That woe is me, Poor child for thee!
And ever morn and day,
For thy parting
Nor say nor sing
By by, lully lullay!