ROYAL FLUSH

Herod “ordered the massacre of all the boys two years old and under in Bethlehem.” –Matthew 2:16

Mass Readings: December 28
First: 1 John 1:5–2:2; Resp: Psalm 124:2-5,7-8;Gospel: Matthew 2:13-18

Herod understood part of the meaning of Christmas. He understood that Jesus’ life and birth were an immediate and a long-term threat to his kingship. Herod understood and believed what Mary prophesied in relation to Jesus’ birth. In her “Magnificat,” she proclaimed: The Lord “has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away” (Lk 1:52-53). In addition, Herod anticipated another prophecy relating to Jesus. Even before Simeon got the words out, Herod knew Jesus was a “Sign of contradiction” (Lk 2:34, our transl.).

Do you understand the meaning of Christmas as well or better than Herod did? Do you understand that Christ and Christmas are a revolutionary threat against worldly economic and political powers? Do you understand how people living the true meaning of Christmas could put Planned Parenthood out of business? Thus, the atrocities of Herod and Planned Parenthood should come as no surprise. Life, Christ, Christmas, and love are formidable, ultimately invincible threats to a “culture of death.” May our Christmas be so Christ-like as to warrant persecution.

PRAYER: Father, this Christmas season save babies in the womb by saving their parents from sin.

PROMISE: “Here, then, is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: that God is Light; in Him there is no darkness.” –1 Jn 1:5

PRAISE: The Holy Innocents now number hundreds of millions. They pray for us to repent.