By Carol Tobias, President
Editor’s note. This appeared on page three of the December digital edition of National Right to Life News. Along with the President’s column, you can read all the stories, analyses, and editorials at nrlc.org/uploads/NRLNews/NRLNewsDec2016.pdf. Please share with your pro-life family and friends using your social media contacts.
25 years ago, we heard a new song that would instantly become a Christmas Classic. “Mary Did You Know?” has been recorded and played and sung by many artists in many styles.
You’re probably familiar with the tune but take a minute to read and reflect on the lyrics:
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will some day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered,
will soon deliver you.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby,
you’ve kissed the face of God.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding
is the great I AM.
When I heard this song recently on the radio, it reminded me of Infinite Possibilities, a flyer NRLC published a few years ago. Of course only God who became man fulfills the lyrics in this song.
But the question could be asked of any mother or father whose child is yet to be born.
Did you know that your child could be a musician whose music can help energize the weary or soothe the troubled? Did you know that your child could be an astronaut, finding new planets or stars? Did you know that your child could be a teacher, encouraging and motivating children to want to learn?
Did you know that your child could be a nurse or doctor, helping to treat the sick and heal the injured? Did you know that your child could be a comedian, reminding people of the adage, “laughter is the best medicine”?
Your child could be a photographer, capturing some moment in history that will never come around again. Your child could be a firefighter or policeman, giving of himself/herself to protect others. Your child could become an advocate for children, helping to find caring foster homes or helping them get adopted into loving, permanent homes.
The possibilities are endless–“infinite.”
But many women considering abortion are looking not at their baby’s possibilities but at the next year of two of their lives with a newborn baby to take care of. Pro-lifers are as realistic as we are idealistic. We know that life can sometimes be very difficult. Pregnancy resource centers do an amazing job in helping women through difficult times but we, as a society, can always look for ways to do more.
We also know our culture can be very unwelcoming to “imperfect” people. But a deeper reflection reminds us that there are no perfect people, perfect jobs, or perfect circumstances. We shouldn’t expect to have perfect children.
Whether a disability develops in the womb or occurs many years after birth, we love and care for all members of the human family. This gives us all, as a society and as individuals, the opportunity to show love, care, and compassion—characteristics that are good and beneficial.
I have met many women who thought a pregnancy was the worst thing to ever happen to them. This unborn child was an embarrassment to their parents and/or an unacceptable burden to boyfriends. They wondered if they could get through the coming difficult times. But they soon came to realize that this baby was truly a blessing and they now can’t believe they had ever considered abortion.
During this Christmas season, as we remember the Child who came to make us new, let us also remember that every child has infinite possibilities and re-dedicate ourselves to making sure the coming years make those possibilities possible.
May you know the blessings of God’s love in this special season. Merry Christmas to all!