[1] In Martin Luther’s Christmas sermons, he used all his rhetorical gifts to paint with words the images of a tiny and fragile baby nosed by animals looking in their feed box, a poor mother forced to give birth in the dark and in the cold because no one would help her, a father wrapping his newborn son in his trousers for lack of any blankets. His words called to his congregation to remember that, even as the story of Christmas tells them how they are loved, they are called to care for children in their midst. We are called not just to care for our own children, but to those born to our neighbors, especially those born in circumstances of marginalization and poverty.
[2] Having read these articles consider discussing the following:
- What new information did you learn regarding the effects of racism on maternal and infant health comes? What might you do with this new information given your own unique talents or profession to make a positive impact on children in our society?
- What new information did you learn regarding the effects of lead on children’s physical and mental health? What might you do with this new information given your own unique talents or profession to make a positive impact on children in our society?
- What ideas do you have for your church to welcome children and parents that they might have more life abundant?
Jennifer Hockenbery serves as Editor of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics . She is Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Humanities at St Norbert College. She attends Grace Lutheran Church in Green Bay, WI.