(This is my latest article for the Pastors Pro-Life Resource Center.)

The value of pre-born life is foundational to Christmas, just as protecting children is an essential of the Gospel Jesus preached. While Christmas celebrations focus on the manger, the miracle of the Incarnation did not happen in Bethlehem. The “Word became flesh” not at the time of the virgin birth, but when Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb, as heralded by the angel Gabriel.

In response to Gabriel’s announcement, Mary hurried to the home of her relative Elizabeth, who was in the midst of her own miraculous pregnancy, as Gabriel had also announced. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the presence of Jesus (deep within Mary’s womb) inspired preborn John the Baptist to leap for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.
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