1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of the Innocents
Another peek at the 1611 KJV Bible's liturgical calendar for December, informs us that December 28th is the feast of the Innocents. The Innocents are the children slain by Herod as told in the Gospel of Matthew.
There is some arguement among historians as to whether the event took place as described. The Jewish historian Josephus fails to mention the "massacre" in his history. Matthew records the events ocuring in and around rural Bethlehem, which was a small town. Some historians point out that only about 6-20 boys may have been victims and thus the event was not significant enough for inclusion in Josephus' history.
Other historians feel the murdered boys may have been Herod's children. Josephus records Herod's execution of two of his sons by his wife Mariamne because he believed they posed a threat. (The Jewish War (I.535–7) and Jewish Antiquities (16.121–7, 356).
Nonetheless, surviving historical documents from the 4th Century clearly indicate that early Christians did commemorate the event of Matthew 2. Prior to the 4th Century, the rememberance of the Innocents is thought to have been part of Epiphany.
Like the earlier feast days listed in the 1611 KJV Bible, the commemoration of the Innocents varies by church. Both the West Syrians (Syriac Orthodox Church, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and Maronite Church) and East Syrians (Chaldeans and Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) observe the feast of the Innocents on December 27th. Western Christians (Latin Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans) observe the feast on December 28th. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the feast on December 29th.
In England, the feast of the Innocants was known as Childermas. A Childermas tradition was allowing the children to be in charge for one day. In monastaries and convents, the youngest monk or nun would become abbott or abbess for the day.
The Coventry Carol was written in England in the 1500's and the carol commemorates the death of the Innocents by Herod. Check your Christmas music collection. Today would be a good day to play and listen to Coventry Carol.
Related Posts:
1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of John
1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of Stephen
12 Days of Christmas Myth
Source: Traditional Festivals
- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, in Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matthew 2:16-17
There is some arguement among historians as to whether the event took place as described. The Jewish historian Josephus fails to mention the "massacre" in his history. Matthew records the events ocuring in and around rural Bethlehem, which was a small town. Some historians point out that only about 6-20 boys may have been victims and thus the event was not significant enough for inclusion in Josephus' history.
Other historians feel the murdered boys may have been Herod's children. Josephus records Herod's execution of two of his sons by his wife Mariamne because he believed they posed a threat. (The Jewish War (I.535–7) and Jewish Antiquities (16.121–7, 356).
Nonetheless, surviving historical documents from the 4th Century clearly indicate that early Christians did commemorate the event of Matthew 2. Prior to the 4th Century, the rememberance of the Innocents is thought to have been part of Epiphany.
Like the earlier feast days listed in the 1611 KJV Bible, the commemoration of the Innocents varies by church. Both the West Syrians (Syriac Orthodox Church, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and Maronite Church) and East Syrians (Chaldeans and Syro-Malabar Catholic Church) observe the feast of the Innocents on December 27th. Western Christians (Latin Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans) observe the feast on December 28th. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates the feast on December 29th.
In England, the feast of the Innocants was known as Childermas. A Childermas tradition was allowing the children to be in charge for one day. In monastaries and convents, the youngest monk or nun would become abbott or abbess for the day.
The Coventry Carol was written in England in the 1500's and the carol commemorates the death of the Innocents by Herod. Check your Christmas music collection. Today would be a good day to play and listen to Coventry Carol.
Related Posts:
1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of John
1611 KJV Liturgical Calendar - Feast of Stephen
12 Days of Christmas Myth
Source: Traditional Festivals
Labels: 12 Days, Christmas, Church History, KJV, Liturgical Calendar
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