We take up one of the more challenging parts of the Biblical Christmas story, Matthew 2:13-23, sometimes known as “The Slaughter of the Innocents.” This text reveals a dark side of Christmas, as Herod, representing imperial power, has all the male infants in the Bethlehem region killed in a desperate attempt to eliminate the baby Jesus. This is not the stuff of Christmas carols and greeting cards! We’ll delve into the complexities of this story, and how it might inform a thoughtful reading of scripture and other sacred texts.

Topics: Celebration