Do You Hear What I Hear?

While Christmas is often filled with joyous sounds of music, laughter, and celebration, it is important to remember the darker, more sorrowful aspects of the season. Just over 2,000 years ago, the birth of Jesus was followed by the tragic and harrowing cries of grief, as King Herod, fearing for his throne, ordered the massacre of all boys under two years old in Bethlehem. This moment of suffering, often overlooked in the Christmas story, reminds us that amidst the holiday’s festive sounds, there are also the cries of anguish, loss, and heartache. For many, Christmas can be a time of deep grief and struggle, not anything like the “most wonderful time of the year.” Let’s look at a portion of the Christmas story that is seldom talked about but could help us today.