Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
-- Last verse, "Away in a Manger"

This is a Christmas message for every mother in crisis who has abandoned a baby -- a tiny bundle delivered in secret, stashed away in shame, and disposed of somewhere, anywhere, to survive or die alone.

This is for the mother of Baby Liberty, a newborn girl found alive wrapped in a white cloth at a construction site near Laytonsville, Md., on July 4.

And for the mother of Baby Tyler Doe, a newborn boy found alive in a cardboard box in the back of a car in Swansea, Mass., two days after Halloween.

And for the mother of Baby Catherine Hope, a newborn girl found dead in a plastic shopping bag on a Brooklyn church's porch the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

And for the mother of Baby Noel Christmas, a newborn girl found alive wrapped in a towel on a bench behind a hospital in Easton, Md., two weeks ago.

And for every mother-to-be who is thinking of doing something similarly unthinkable with their unborn sons and daughters.

As a mother who has just joyously brought a baby boy into the world, I cannot imagine your despair. I cannot fathom your horror. Those of us with healthy children, happy marriages and doting families often take for granted our bountiful blessings. It would be so easy to condemn you, to pontificate about your recklessness, to attack your selfishness, to mete out blame and shame. But not now.

During this Christmas season, in which we commemorate the birth of the Savior, please know that you are not alone. Whether you are 14 or 40, rich or poor, black or white, abused or confused, know that there are countless strangers across the country praying for you and the souls of your children. Continued...