December ‘Witness’: The gift of children

In Psalm 127, Solomon declares: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).

Why are children so important? Why has God given them as a reward, an ongoing heritage from God?

There’s no better time than Christmas to ponder this question. For the birth of Christ makes the birth of every child a blessing and a gift. The One through whom creation came into existence took on human flesh in the womb of His mother, the Virgin Mary.

And in her flesh, He grew. God — in the womb of a woman. What a mystery worthy of marveling. What a gift beyond our comprehension, the gift that confounds our every attempt to understand.

In that gift, Christ makes all births a miracle worthy of our marvel. It is no wonder the devil, the world and our sinful flesh have declared war on children; it’s no wonder that they have launched a full assault on the gift of life. For, as the Rev. Jeffrey Hemmer writes in the December issue of The Lutheran Witness (LW), “No one hates children more than [Satan] does.”

The December issue of LW takes up the blessing of children — both how they bless us and how we might bless them. For example, the Rev. Christopher Nuttelman discusses how parents and other family members can bless children in the home, providing both a biblical foundation and guidance on doing so.

The issue contains much more: reflections on becoming like a little child by Sarah Reinsel and Josh Pauling’s thoughts on how Christ’s birth subverts the spirit of our age.

Every child is a blessing from God. Period. No asterisks, footnotes or addendum. Christ makes all children gifts, good and gracious blessings of God.

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!” (Psalm 127:4–5).

Subscribe to The Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness. Learn more at witness.lcms.org.

Posted Dec. 4, 2023