December 28th - Feast of the Holy Innocents

Also known as Childermas or Children's Mass commemorates the massacre of the innocents by Herod after meeting with the Magi.  All male children two years of age and younger were killed in the hopes that he would be able to kill the Messiah. 

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, 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 got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went 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 I have called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15

During the Middle Ages the feast was celebrated by role reversal of children and adults.  Children served as priests and teachers.  No work was to be undertaken on the day.