Christmas Time

Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs

Monday, December 28, 2026

About today

Herod’s rage against the Child fell on the boys of Bethlehem. The Church names them martyrs: they died for Christ before they could speak his Name. Their feast on 28 December will not let Christmas become sentimental or safe. They are the first fruits of a kingdom Herod could not kill. Rachel still weeps, and the Church still prays. Ask today for the protection of children, for an end to the slaughter of the small, and for a King who reigns from a manger, not from fear.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

Scripture

Sequential New Testament

1 John 4:7–12

Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love. The love of God was made apparent to us in this way: that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love: not as if we had loved God, but that he first loved us, and so he sent his Son as a propitiation for our sins. Most beloved, if God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God. But if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Text: Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV) · Sequential New Testament

Today's Prayers

Reflect in journal

Journal notes stay private on your account. Sign in if you would like to keep a reflection here.