Rachel weeping

Read

¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. ¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: ¹⁵ And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. ¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, ¹⁸ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Reflect

Joseph flees with Mary and the child by night, and Herod has the young children of Bethlehem killed; Matthew does not hide the grief: 'Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted.' Western churches remember these Holy Innocents on December 28, and Eastern Orthodox churches on December 29.

Pray

Lord, you know the tears of every parent who grieves. Comfort those who mourn, protect children in danger, and hold close those who cannot be comforted. Amen.