Holy Innocents’ Day is important in Christian history, commemorating the massacre of innocent children in Bethlehem by King Herod, as described in the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew. While the story may seem a little dark for young students, it is a significant part of the Christmas story and can be used as a teachable moment in the classroom.
K-12 teachers can teach students about Holy Innocents’ Day by incorporating it into lessons about the Christmas story or even into lessons about the concept of innocence. Here are a few ideas for how to introduce the topic:
1. Read and Discuss the Story: Read the account of the massacre in the Gospel of Matthew and discuss it as a class. Ask students to share their thoughts and feelings about the story and what it means to them.
2. Compare and Contrast: Compare the story of the Holy Innocents with other stories in which children are harmed or killed. Discuss why these types of stories are difficult for people to read or hear about, and what we can learn from them.
3. Talk About Innocence: Define what it means to be innocent, and talk about why innocence is valuable. Ask students to share examples of times when they’ve felt innocent or when they’ve witnessed innocence in others.
4. Reflect on the Day’s Name: Ask students to think about the name of the day – Holy Innocents’ Day – and discuss what it means to them. Talk about the value of remembering important events in history, even if they are difficult to think about.
Overall, teaching students about Holy Innocents’ Day can be a valuable way to incorporate faith and history into the classroom. By acknowledging the difficult parts of the Christmas story and reflecting on the concept of innocence, students can gain a deeper appreciation for the holiday season and the many meanings it holds.
