Only Faith

Beloved:

‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
  wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
  she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.’   ~Matthew 2:18


    A king named Herod so feared the loss of his throne he ordered the slaughter of boys two years old and younger in the region of Bethlehem, staining the Christmas story with unspeakable violence.  

    Since last week’s slaughter of innocence in Connecticut I feel just like I did after 9-11.  I’m dazed, lost and sick to my stomach.  I want to keep my kids at home and read to them or just look at them constantly.  I want the world to leave us alone.  

     Matthew reminds me there is nothing new under the sun.  Political leaders willing to sacrifice children to protect their position is an ancient story.  Parents are forced to live their worst nightmare and dazed as I may be, I carry on with my Christmas shopping. Because I don’t know what else to do.  I have no words of comfort, only the ache for them. Matthew helps by reminding me that no such comfort exists.  

    The baby Herod was after escaped to Egypt with his parents.  I often wonder what Jesus’ parents told him about why they lived so far from his cousins.  He knew, of course.  The disgraceful ways of people in power and tiny hearts terrified by what they could not understand.  He knew it and carried it and carries it now in ways for which I have no words, only faith.  

      It’s much too small a word in these days. More is wanted.  More is needed.  In the meantime, strange as it is, we are allowed our joy. ~peace, prayers & merry Christmas!  pastor annette