Bonus Poem: Herod

This is the third of five new poems for Advent, 2022.

For poems for Advent 3, Year A, please see Year A, Third Sunday of Advent

The three Magi before Herod, France, early 15th century. Musée de Cluny/Musée national du Moyen Âge, Paris.

Herod

 

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  (Matthew 2:1-4)

 

Heartbreak

 

All megalomaniacs have fear

They’ll be dethroned, from far, or near;

Thus, nothing stops them from their ends,

Including children, whom they’ll rend

From life and parents, by all means

Necessary! Thus it still seems

That holding power for its sake

Can only end in great heartbreak.

 

 

Scott L. Barton