The Tragedy of the Holy Innocents: What Can We Say?

“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16 ESV).
The death of children is always a difficult thing for us to comprehend. Understandably, then, the Gospel lesson appointed for December 28th (the Day of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs) and the 2nd Sunday of Christmas are disturbing because they both cover this tragic mass murder.
Our hearts certainly go out to the bereaved parents. They really had no good answer for why their children had to die because their children were innocent of the “crime” of being the King of the Jews. We might ask along with these parents, “How could God let this happen?”
We certainly want to be careful not to think that we know better than God or can know His mind. While we don’t know the mind of God, looking deeper, we can see elements of His wisdom and gracious provision for all people. And as it turns out, this story isn’t all tragedy.
In Herod’s “senseless fear,” he carelessly ordered the death of all possible contenders to his crown “according to the time [and location] that he had ascertained from the wise men.” He didn’t make a careful search. He figured that if he slaughtered all the boys, then surely the one Boy he feared would be killed. Of course, he wasn’t counting on the fact that God would protect His only-begotten Son from this premature death by sending Joseph, with his family, down to Egypt. In a way, then, these proto-martyrs provided a screen for the Christ-Child. Their deaths put Herod at ease so that he wouldn’t seek any further for the King. But God didn’t just use these boys as a screen. Their salvation was already taken care of.
According to God’s Law, these boys would have already been under the spiritual protection and provisions of God’s Covenant of Circumcision. Back in Genesis, God commanded Abraham, “He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations…. So shall My covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant” (Genesis 17:12,13). This Covenant of Circumcision bound God to these young boys just like the Sacrament of Baptism binds God to us. Those who were circumcised were members of God’s family and heirs of His heavenly realms. So while we still struggle to see past the pain of the parents, God in His mercy had simply delivered them from this evil world before they experienced very much of it.
Only 33 years later, God would watch His own Son be put to death under evil rulers. “How could God let this happen?” people asked. We thank God that He did not spare His own Son that we might see the fulfillment of our salvation in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The star proclaims the King is here;
But, Herod, why this senseless fear?
He takes no realms of earth away
Who give the realms of heav’nly day.
(ELH #173:1)
Reverend Samuel Gullixson
Contributing Writer
Parkland Lutheran Church & School
Parkland, WA