Children

Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children and the inspiration for Santa Claus. In this season when we hear lots about the wonders and magic of childhood but see marketing machines treat our little ones as consumers and read in the sports pages of awful things being done to kids by those they trust and respect, it's important to pause and give thanks for and pray for the children in our midst. They are a blessing, a responsibility, a joy, a challenge. And it was in the form of one that God came to us. In this season when we are encouraged to give, let's give the gift of love and caring to our young ones, whether they're the kids in our own or boys and girls on the far side of the world.

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