Today within the Church Year is the Feast of Holy Innocents. This day tells us much about the birth of Christ, the Magi and flight into Egypt.
Most of us are familiar with the Wise Men, Kings from the East who followed the star and brought gifts to the Christ Child. We see images in paintings, in sculpture, in our own Nativity settings that show a baby Jesus laying in a manger when the Wise Men arrive. Yet the Bible does not say they visited a baby laying in a manger.
And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
The visit did not happen on the night of His birth. It did not take place the stable as He lay in a manger. Jesus wasn’t even an infant, He was a child.
Scripture also tells us that the visitors from the east stopped to ask where the child was of Herod. Herod did not know, but asked the Magi to send word once they had found Jesus so that he too could pay him homage. An angel appeared in a dream to tell the Magi not to return to Herod. This same angel told Joseph to take Mary and the child to Egypt sometime after the Magi had departed.
When Herod realized he had been duped, he sent soldiers to Bethlehem to slaughter every Jewish male child two years of age and under. It’s doubtful that Herod would have waited two years for the Magi to return, therefore we can assume Jesus would have been somewhere between one and two years of age when the Magi spoke with the evil king.
The Church honors the children slaughtered at the hands of Herod on the Feast of Holy Innocence. Today is that day. This heartbreak within the Church isn’t just for the children of Israel who were slaughtered centuries ago, we mourn the children who perish as a result of man’s hatered for man, those who are murdered and most of all for those who are never born. Children are the most pure, most innocent of all God’s creations. Each is priceless in the eyes of the Lord.
Today is also Peppered Pot Soup Day. Peppered Pot Soup is the inspiration behind today’s share. It’s a satisfying Beefy Potato Soup that is sure to please. Enjoy this day and every day.
Spicy Beef and Potato Soup
1/2 Yellow Onion
1 lb Ground Beef
4 cups Beef Stock
1 (20 oz) bag Diced Potatoes
3 (8 oz) cans Tomato Sauce
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Hot Pepper Sauce to taste
Cut onion in half from root to tip. Reserve half for another purpose. Peel and dice remaining half.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with diced onions until browned and cooked through. Drain well, place meat mixture in a stock pot.
Add beef stock, diced potatoes and tomato sauce. Season to tastes with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Bring to a boil.
Lower heat, simmer 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the flavors have fully developed.
We praise You, O God,
We acclaim You as Lord;
The white robed army of martyrs praise You.
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