Last Saturday, we piled the small girls into the car and headed into the pro-life Christmas vigil organised by Youth Defence, which was held in the busy thoroughfare of Dublin's O'Connell Street. The city centre was packed with shoppers: Christmas lights and glitz were everywhere, and a cold snap made everything seem frosty and festive.

It took a while to find parking, so we were perhaps 15 minutes late when we arrived at the Christmas Crib opposite the GPO. A long line of pro-life activists already stretched down to the Spire with pro-life posters and candles in their hands. Motorists and shoppers beeped and waved their approval, and many stopping to look at the on-street video display of Youth Defence's new Christmas advert, which you can see in the next few days, and which is simply gorgeous.

What struck me most was all the young faces at the vigil, and, as we took our place in the line with our candles and a poster of an unborn baby saying 'She's a Child, not a Choice', three girls stopped to chat to the YD team and then decided to join in the vigil. They were happy and sparky, and they gave my four-year-old swings until their arms must have ached. Then along came two of YD's Facebook friends, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who had seen the event advertised on Facebook and came up that morning from Kilkenny. Another man, John from Portlaoise, did the same, and later posted that he had a 'lovely time at the vigil'.

These new, energetic activists are perhaps the best Christmas present the pro-life movement can obtain for mothers and babies. As we stood together in the cold, the kids chattering like magpies and talking about Santa, the light of the Crib spilling onto the ground where we stood, and Christmas music playing on the YD speakers, it was a hopeful and joyful moment.

The Christmas story has such special significance for the pro-life movement. The baby being born in a humble stable, in fearful conditions, to a young mother unsure as to what the future would bring. But then, the star shone down on this precious child, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, and the night sky was filled with angels. The birth of Christ, our God and Saviour - it's the most beautiful story ever told, and my children never tire of it.

They also loved the Christmas vigil, and not just because of the music and the candles, the good cheer and the cute videos. I think they felt what we all shared that afternoon: that life is our most precious gift, and that we need to do everything we can do protect it and cherish it.

As we face into what looks like being a tough year for mothers and babies, we pray that the hope and peace and joy of the Christ-child will sustain us as we reach out to mothers and babies.

Merry Christmas everyone!

LINKS

• See photos of the YD Christmas Pro-life Candlelight Vigil here
• See the original blog on the Life Institute site