December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It is equivalent to April Fool’s Day (April 1)
December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It is equivalent to the Fools Day of April first. It is the day that commemorates the death of the little boys who were slain by King Herod in an attempt to assassinate the Christ Child. This event is described in the Gospel of Matthew. On this day in Mexico and many other Spanish speaking countries people pull practical jokes on each other. It talks about King Herod ordering the execution of all young male children under the age of two in the village of Bethlehem, after the Magi or “Three Kings” announced to him the impending birth of the “King of the Jews.”
The number of infants killed is not stated, however the Holy Innocents have been claimed as the first Christian martyrs.
In typical Matthean style it is understood as the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy: “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children.”
Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07419a.htm
You must be logged in to post a comment.