We know how fragile newborn life can be. And we know that these tiny lives can still be lost, even with all the technological advances of our own century. But we also believe that God holds these little ones in his hands, even when we can’t. Our children’s lives are incredibly precious to us, no matter how old we are or how long or short a time they live. I recently watched a ninety-eight-year-old woman mourn the death of her son with as much grief as the mother of a newborn or the mother of a young adult. Our children are always our children. And all of them are God’s children and fiercely loved by their divine parent. If you have infants or small children in your family or among your friends, take time to delight in them in a special way during this Christmas season. And hold in prayer all those who have lost children and all those whose children suffer in dire circumstances.
Find a special “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament for an infant you know. This is something that will be cherished by the parents and then the children themselves for years to come. At the same time, find a local organization that cares for families in need and make a donation of diapers, formula, and other things that all infants need.
—from the book The Peace of Christmas: Quiet Reflections from Pope Francis
by Diane M. Houdek
1 thought on “Always Our Children”
When I see children, all I can think of is to look at their innocence. Good God, look at that innocence, I say to myself. We were all the same at one time. Then we grow old and things happen. We live in a fallen world, but yet, we will always have God.