As this is not a lesser feast day, I would not ordinarily have included it, as this list is of those days that are often unknown or forgotten for no good reason. However, given recent events, I did want to mark this day. Originally, it remembered those first-born males slaughtered by King Herod in his vain attempt to prevent the coming of the Messiah. Over the centuries it has become a "catch-all" day for prayerfully focusing concerns about the plight of children, especially those killed or murdered in number. I have, during the last three decades, heard it used by advocates fighting against poverty and disease in Africa, and also by members of the pro-life movement fighting against abortion.
As of this year, I will always associate it with the children of Sandy Hook, especially since the original number of those killed by Herod was probably around 20 and not the inflated numbers popular in history.
More of the day and its origin may be found here.
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
December 29: Thomas Becket
The holy, blessed martyr, as he is regarded in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales", is of particular significance in the Church of England and its Anglican cousins as his martyrdom marked the resolute line between church and crown. His history is often invoked when the church stands in moral opposition to something promoted by the state.
From the BBC:
Thomas Becket was born in around 1120, the son of a prosperous London merchant. He was well educated and quickly became an agent to Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, who sent him on several missions to Rome. Becket's talents were noticed by Henry II, who made him his chancellor and the two became close friends. When Theobald died in 1161, Henry made Becket archbishop. Becket transformed himself from a pleasure-loving courtier into a serious, simply-dressed cleric.
The king and his archbishop's friendship was put under strain when it became clear that Becket would now stand up for the church in its disagreements with the king. In 1164, realising the extent of Henry's displeasure, Becket fled into exile in France, and remained in exile for several years. He returned in 1170.
On the 29 December 1170, four knights, believing the king wanted Becket out of the way, confronted and murdered Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
Becket was made a saint in 1173 and his shrine in Canterbury Cathedral became an important focus for pilgrimage.
O God, our strength and our salvation, you called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your Church: Keep your household from all evil and raise up among us faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.