We don’t normally think of this part of the Christmas story… But it is true. And it “just so happened” that in my QT yesterday, The Lord reminded me of this fact. The enemy has ever been present & continues to seek to steal, kill, & destroy that Abundant Life Jesus came to give (John 10:10).
When King Herod learned from the Wise Men that a baby “King” had been born, he lied, telling them to be sure and let him know where this baby was, so that Herod could also go and worship. But like satan, Herod’s goal was to garner ALL worship for himself. He really wanted that Baby-King dead.
When the Wise Men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, jealous, paranoid King Herod calculated the possible age of the Christ-Child and ORDERED EVERY BABY BOY 2 YEARS AND YOUNGER TO BE KILLED! Can you imagine???
The grief!!! The shock!!! The torment!!! The mothers whose nursing sons were ripped from their breasts… The grieving fathers helpless to “fix” their tortured families… The brothers & sisters unable to comprehend the disappearance of their siblings, or the depth of their parents’ suffering…
“Herod, when he realized that the scholars had tricked him, flew into a rage. He commanded the murder of every little boy two years old and under who lived in Bethlehem and its surrounding hills. (He determined that age from information he’d gotten from the scholars.) That’s when Jeremiah’s sermon was fulfilled: A sound was heard in Ramah, weeping and much lament. Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace, Her children gone, dead and buried.” Matthew 2:16-18, Message (The reference for this Old Testament Prophesy is Jeremish 31:15)
… Sounds much like what the loved ones in Newtown, Connecticut {and many unnamed others around the globe} are going through this Christmas season.
Oh God, have mercy! Pour Grace! Carry with Comfort! As we focus on Your Advent – may we celebrate mostly Your next coming ~ when You will rescue us from the evil of this world and when we will live forever in Your glorious presence! You will come, Lord Jesus. We believe You. And until You do, we thank You in advance for making good on ALL of Your promises to Your people.
We love You, Jesus. We need You, Mighty Savior. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come… So be it.
“Listen to me, my people.
Hear me, Israel,
for my law will be proclaimed,
and my justice will become a light to the nations.
My mercy and justice are coming soon.
My salvation is on the way.
My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.
All distant lands will look to me
and wait in hope for my powerful arm.
Look up to the skies above,
and gaze down on the earth below.
For the skies will disappear like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing.
The people of the earth will die like flies,
but my salvation lasts forever.
My righteous rule will never end!
Isaiah 51:4-6 NLT
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