One of the most beautiful experiences for any of us is to hold the hand of a newborn baby or a young child. It reassures. It connects us physically to the dependency of the child on us and to the wonder of God’s divine love made visible in the miracle of life – a life we all share.
Children are so special. Pope Francis has declared a World Day of Children to be held in Rome next May on the question: “What type of world do we want to transmit to the children who are growing up?”
What type of world? The images from conflicts, especially in the Holy Land, are overwhelming; those of newly-born babies struggling for life in hospitals without the basics. The sheer inhumanity of it all is an affront to the love of God made visible in Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.
As children of God, may we have the joy of holding the hand of Jesus this Christmas so as to build a better world, where all children can be cared for and flourish in love and peace.
