Holy Innocents

Source {weheartit}

This beautifully haunting carol commemorates the Holy Innocents who lost their lives for Jesus. Herod, the King of Judah, ordered the death of all boys under the age of two in fear of the newborn King. He sought to murder the One he feared would usurp his power. (You can read the story here.)

Lully, Lullay, thou little tiny child.
Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Lullay thou little tiny child

Bye, bye, lully, lullay

O sisters, too, how may we do,

For to preserve this day;

This poor Youngling for whom we sing

Bye, bye lully, lullay

Herod the King, in his raging,

Charged he hath this day;

His men of might, in his own sight,

All young children to slay.

Then woe is me, poor child, for thee,

And ever mourn and say;

For thy parting neither say nor sing,

Bye, bye lully, lullay.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. I served oatmeal, unintentionally, for breakfast this morning, finding out later that it is traditionally eaten on this day, along with other soft foods, to remind us of the little ones.

We remember today those first young martyrs, but, also, those young innocents who lose their lives in our present day, forcibly and horrendously removed from their mother's wombs. We pray for an end to abortion, for current holy innocents, that those responsible for their care will find the strength and encouragement to give them life.