The Innocents Triumphed Over Evil

Triumph Of The Innocents by William Holman Hunt-1883

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

Yet the fact remains that amidst all the sweet images of God becoming a tiny infant, we are reminded that humanity’s cruelty are not stopped on earth 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).

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.

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!