Source Fr. Livio’s Blog

In the Old Testament there was a prophecy that foretold the enmity between the ancient serpent and the Woman and that indicated in the seed of the Woman the very One who would conquer the devil. It is clear that the empire of darkness was waiting for the moment of the birth of Christ and when the prophecy comes true and Baby Jesus comes to light, evil is unleashed.

Satan has not yet given up and does not want to lose the dominion, even if partial, that he had obtained with the original fall of the progenitors. When the Child is born in Bethlehem and a multitude of shepherds rush to adore him, the power of darkness is unleashed in such a violent way that it leaves them astonished. Herod summons the Magi, who were following the star that would lead them to the King of History, and orders them to indicate the place where to find him.

Then Herod called the wise men secretly and ascertained from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I too may come and worship him.” When they heard the king’s words, they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising went before them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly. When they came into the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph arose, took the child and his mother by night, and fled to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was enraged; and he sent and killed all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time about which he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Mt 2-7,18)

Herod was a bloodthirsty man, so much so that he had all the pretenders to the throne killed, even his own family members. As soon as he received the news from the Magi that the Messiah announced by the Scriptures had been born, he became agitated and carried out the massacre that we know and which is incredible for the cruelty with which it was perpetrated. Herod ordered all the children of Bethlehem and its surroundings to be killed, with the mathematical certainty that among them there was also the child foretold by the prophecies.

God always intervenes to carry out his plan and he did so on that occasion too, sending an angel to Joseph in a dream to warn him of the danger. The Magi had also been warned by an angel and returned home by another road. The History of Salvation begins with the birth of Baby Jesus and with the unleashing of the power of darkness that continues throughout the life of Christ. During the three years of his public life, Satan tempts Jesus in several ways precisely to prevent the work of Redemption.

Jesus shows us the way to follow to prevent Satan from prevailing: humility and meekness. It is the same way that the Church is also called to follow throughout History and at the same time, just as Jesus had the devil at his heels throughout his life, the Church will also be continually tempted by the devil who wants to seduce her. Satan wants to take revenge on humanity after Christ redeemed it and there is no shortage, especially today, of Herods who want to persecute the Church.

Like Mary and Joseph, then, let us trust in divine Providence and follow the path of salvation. Let us walk with trust in Providence; God always intervenes to save his creatures. God has the power! God has the strength! God is the only true master of History. In humility and faithfulness to God, let us place ourselves under his protection, let us welcome the Child Jesus into our hearts and let us ensure that he finds a worthy and welcoming bed.