12/23/15- The Soldiers and the Birth of Christ

12/23- The Soldiers- Matthew 2:16
16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Thoughts: “Just following orders.”  There are times when orders need to be followed.  But we are also called to use our heads even when people over us command us.*    The Soldiers of Herod followed some tough orders.  They beheaded John the Baptist.  They killed Herod’s wife at his bidding and his son.  There are times when we “must obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19).  The soldiers here were told to not only miss Christmas but try and destroy it by killing every baby under two in Bethlehem.  The power of human government was going against the heavenly King.  Law and order, hopefully will go together.  But when you have a power-hungry ruler who cares not for religion, the Law of God needs to be heard.  It is also true that public opinion and culture are not our main concern.  We do not keep our morality or faith by fiat from a king or an opinion poll of the people.  

Prayer: Lord, give me the grace and strength to follow you even when others tell me I shouldn’t- or even tell me to actively oppose you and your people.

Song: The First Nowell the angels did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.  In fields where they lay a keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.  Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell born is the king of Israel.  

[*Adults: .   In the Vietnam War Lieutenant William Calley was found guilty of killing 22 Vietnamese civilians though he claims he was following orders (from Capt. Medina) and giving orders to his men.  Calley had ordered his men to wipe out a whole village of civilians that he believed were collaborating with the enemy.  Not only were these “orders” against the Rules of Engagement, they were against the Geneva Convention and common sense.  Such orders turn good soldiers into terrorists, which helped solidify opposition to Vietnam.]