“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.’” (Matthew 2:15-17)
The gospel reading for New Year’s Day is a sobering one for beginning of the year. It shows us that there is a dark side to Christmas that stands in stark contrast to the celebrations and hope of these holidays. The first Christmas ends not with glorious angels proclaiming good will to all, but with women weeping for their slaughtered children. Herod, afraid of the slightest threat to his power sought to do away with the new born King of the Jews through savage cruelty.
This massacre of innocent babies shows us the great evil that human beings are capable of. Because of such evil, there is great grief in this world, a sorrow that mirrors that great pain felt by those mothers in Bethlehem. Millions take no joy in the birth of Jesus for they either do not have faith and/or they are enduring abject suffering, oppression, loss, depression, hopelessness and pain that seem to have no meaning or purpose.
Why does God allow this suffering? There is no one real answer that covers every situation. We can say it is because of sin which has corrupted all mankind. This answer will not make suffering and pain easier to bear, or take it away, or actually satisfy those who are in pain. While we may take comfort in knowing that God’s righteousness and justice ultimately triumph, how does that help the women who have lost children? How does that help those people living and dying in unbearable pain? The solution Matthew gives is to mourn and grieve with those who are in anguish. Mourning, grief, suffering and pain are the price we all must pay because of sin. Over time and in eternity the Lord will give us all the comfort we need. For now, there is little more that we can do is weep and cry with those in pain and anguish.