“Lord, save little children. You’d think the world would be ashamed to name such a day as Christmas for one of them and then go on in the same old way. My soul is humble when I see the way little ones accept their lot. Lord, save little children. The wind blows and the rain’s a-cold. Yet they abide…They abide and they endure.”
–1955 film, The Night of the Hunter
This Christmas, many of us are naturally focused on our financial stress. Frustrated with the overbearing commercialism or the unreasonable (and often annoying) demand to be blindly cheerful. Because of this, we wish for Christmas to be over as soon as possible.
But let us remember, the story of the first Christmas is the story of a child. Not a spoiled greedy one demanding a bunch of presents. But a needy child, the whole world seemed to be against. A child born in a simple stable, hunted by a corrupt upper class.
We may not want to admit it, but things aren’t much better for our children, so many centuries later. They are neglected, abused, denied healthcare by the wealthy and even denied their personhood.
Yet there is hope. The first Christmas story is also of a child whose mission was to unite the world, rich and poor, in love. To remind us to fight for and care for all those who are forgotten and vulnerable. This year, I found myself nearly disinterested and disillusioned by the whole holiday season. So instead of shopping so much for myself, I decided to volunteer organizing presents for the needy children of our community. I rediscovered the Christmas spirit this year. Not in decorations or gift cards. But by helping and remembering the innocent.
It may seem a little late, to be writing this entry on Christmas Eve. But this is a message we should remember all year round. Children do endure…but only if we are there for them. “Lord, save little children.” 
