Right at the birth of the Savior of the world is a dreadful, searing manifestation of his coming "to bring a sword". If one believes, as I do, in a "personal" Satan, rather than some vague aggregate of evil tendencies, one can see in this the wild and venomous thrashing a a snake who knows his back is about to be broken.
If one goes with the "bad stuff happens - bummer!" theory of evil, one still is given the challenge of contemplating, on the one hand, the sneaking into the world under cover of infancy of the Lord of Lords, and on the other, the possibility of hearts so fouled and trammeled with sin that Herod could actually find people to carry out his orders. Was there not one soldier who threw down his sword and said,"You want 'em dead? YOU kill 'em! I want no part of it!"
Were there first born sons among the Innocents of Bethlehem? Did they ransom the life of Him who came to ransom theirs?
How will the pain of the aching breasts of their mothers and the broken hearts ever be assuaged? How great must the Joy Christ brings be to be able to make up for that eviscerating grief!
If there is no remission of sins unless blood is shed, how many and vile must the sins of Palestine be, since for so many ages the land there has been fouled with blood?
The day after Christmas, Some Christians celebrate what is probably the older holiday of the martyrdom of Stephen. And three days after Christmas, the problem to which Christmas is the answer is posed in unforgettable terms. It is not an insignificant celebration.
I care about the events and principles involved. I just don't care much at all, whether or not some earthly religious leader declared a feast day about it.
I also don't care at all for the ignorant and arrogant use of "The Church" to describe exclusively the Roman Catholic construct. Since Jesus died for all of His Church, I sincerely doubt he cares for such judgments by mere men, either.