News has broken this morning of a massacre in a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school. So far 20 children are among the 28 reported dead. How can we ever find hope, love, joy, and peace in a world with horrors like this one? As we are in the season of Advent, how can the message proclaimed by this season uphold against such atrocity?
I was reminded this morning of the Massacre of Holy Innocents that followed the birth of Jesus Christ. With the coming of the Sun of Righteousness, also came an evil decision on the part of Herod the Great, who ordered the massacre of all male children in the village of Bethlehem. These children are known to many as the first Christian martyrs. In fact, this evil was for told by the prophet Jeremiah saying, “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children.”
Today, we too are a voice weeping and mourning. We weep over our children, our teachers, and others, precious to the Father who were murdered this morning.
Yet, although there is no replacing the loss experienced this morning, we can reflect that although the the massacre of Holy Innocents took place, so came the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, the Christ.
What hope was there for the ancient Jews, for shepherds in fields, and for mourning mothers and fathers? There was hope that Christ was with them, with their children, and with mankind. There, through, the child that escaped and had life, was life for all mankind, which came when he gave that life up for those who were already dead in their sin. What hope can we offer those who mourn? Living lives that reflect an eternal Kingdom with no death or suffering.
What love can be found in a God that allows such evil to happen? A love that prompted a Father to let his son die at the hands of evil, for the sake of many. A love that prompted a Father to never abandon His children. What love can we offer those who grieve? A love that prompts us to pray, mourn, and comfort those who weep.
What Joy can be found in such atrocity? The joy of knowing that Christ loves children, and does not abandon them to evil, but cherishes them and calls them, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” God’s kingdom belongs to the innocent, such as children, and we know that they now experience more joy than we could ever know here, in our present state.
Finally, what peace can be found in such chaos? The peace that is coming. We look forward to the return of Christ. We take heart, for Christ has overcome the world. He has nailed the principalities and powers of evil to the cross and made a spectacle of them.
In the face of such evil as exhibited today, we can look forward to the Hope, Love, Joy and Peace we find in Jesus Christ. May this season of Advent be just that, a look forward, and eagerness for Christ return as we pray “Marana tha” “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Surely, Christ hears the weeping and mourning over every mother and father who has lost a child, from those in Bethlehem to those in Newtown, Connecticut.
O merciful Father, help us hold on to hope so that we may encourage others. Help us to know love that we may truly love others. Help us to take joy, so that we may mature, and grant us peace in a world of chaos, through the power of your son our savior, Jesus Christ who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen
"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children." Revelation 21:1-6
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