“What, then, will this child be?” This question raised about the new-born John the Baptist could be raised about any child. Every parent when they accept a child into their home asks the same question. But the question requires more than simply sitting back and waiting to see what happens. Parents, and society in general, have an obligation toward this child. Every child will become who we have helped them to be by how they were treated growing up. A child who grew up in an home full of love and concern will be full of love and concern. A child who has been valued for who they are just as they are will be a valuable member of the family and society. A child whose gifts where recognized and nourished will be able to use and develop their gifts for the greater good. A child who was expected to be kind and considerate will become kind and considerate. What this child will be is not idle speculation but a challenge to help him or her to be who God made them to be, fully functioning and capable of looking beyond themselves and their own wants to seeing how they can contribute in turn to a child of the next generation.
