December 28 has traditionally marked the observance of Childermas. Also called the Feast of the Holy Innocents in some traditions, this is a day of remembrance and mourning for the children of Bethlehem murdered by the order of King Herod, a story recounted in Matthew 2. Along with Stephen, whose feast day (December 26) is also observed during the week after Christmas, these “infant martyr flowers” are considered the first to be martyred on behalf of Christ. The 16th century Coventry Carol, with its plaintive refrain of “Lully, Lullay, thou little tiny child,” is perhaps the best-known reference to this event in hymnody. Isn’t it appropriate that right in the midst of the celebration of Christmas, we would turn our focus to such a terrible scene of violence? Jesus was born to deal with hearts like Herod’s—and ours. This Holiest Innocent came so that the foe greater than any Herod, Death itself, would be overthrown.
—Henry C. Haffner
