HEROD SINGS A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Many are those, including myself, who feel. a ‘new spirit’, a ‘ new life’, during this festive seasons; and we show it.  We act accordingly, by simply decorating our rooms, our office, our homes and, playing Christmas music.                                     One of the many Christmas songs I enjoy listening to, is one made popular by so many good singers. I am referring to the carol, “Mary, did you know?”         As expected, so go the lyrics: asking Mary if she knew that her baby will one day walk over troubled waters and calms it, that He will one day give sight to the blind, feeds the thousands, and so on. In short it is a synopsis of Christ’s works and miracles when he came to live with us on earth.

But, with all due respect,to the author of the lyrics of this Carol, I take the liberty of asking Mary, some other very pertinent questions. I know that these questions will be hurting her tender and loving heart. And precisely, because Mary has got a tender and loving heart that she suffers.

Mary, did you know that ‘many’, who are singing and asking You certain questions, they themselves do not know the answer, or, they are suffering from  the ‘Dr.Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Syndrome’ ? Why ask You if you knew that your babe will one day raise the dead to life? You certainly know the answer. BUT, ‘they’ do not know. Because they keep legislating about the right to abort, to kill innocent life.

These ‘many’ include governments, ministers, senators, presidents (they do not deserve a capital P), doctors, mothers-to-be, fathers who are ashamed to carry their responsibilities … the whole gang of modern day Herods, found all round the world. They certainly know the answer, yet they keep humming, singing or playing the Carol, ‘Mary did You know?’

Mary, did You know that those tiny, pinkish hands, and feet, of your darling  babe, will one day be pierced with nails to the cross. This henious crime will not be committed by the Roman soldiers. No, we are in the Year of the Lord, 2015, these modern-day Herods are all those who legislate the right to abort, for fear of not being elected to Parliament, or to the Senate, or chosen to occupy the President’s Chair … and the rest of the ‘gang’.

Mary, did you know that ‘some’ of those who are hurting your tender heart and your sweet babe call themselves Christians, or Catholics, because they have received the Sacrament of Baptism, or they go to Mass, maybe the receive Holy Communion? But they have chosen to fatten their pockets with easy money. I do not know if they fear hunger or starvation! I know one thing, for sure, that Your Babe one day fed thousands with just five loaves and two fishes. So why fear starvation?

And the singing and humming goes on, “Mary, did you know?’ Yes, Mary, you know all the answers, even the fact that one day we have to give account of our doings. We shall see a long queue of Herods lining up to give account on their ‘balance sheets’. Do not be surprised that many of us will know many a ‘Herod’ in the line-up. Let’s hope that none of us would have helped a Herod to regain power … because we will have to settle our dues, too.

In the mean time may we all have a ‘Blessed Christmas’ by preparing a warm cosy spot in our heart to receive Baby Jesus. Let’s keep on humming, singing and playing Christmas Carols, but let us even play that old song, ‘And when the Ball is Over’ … What then ? THAT date is not marked on any calendar.