On December 25, most Americans settled in at home or with extended family to celebrate, empty stockings, open gifts and spend time with those closest to them. And for Christians who remember what the holiday celebrates – the birth of Jesus Christ – there was an extra level of joy in the air.
But others seemed to forget the reason for the season, like political analyst Nate Silver’s data analysis website FiveThirtyEight.
On Christmas Day, FiveThirtyEight sent out a tweet asking readers to respond and share their “abortion story.”
Do you have an abortion story? We want to hear from you. https://t.co/y6rFyFfnHt
— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) December 25, 2021
Even on special days of Christian celebration, evil doesn’t stop looking to find a foothold in our world. And yet, thanks to the grace merited for us by our Savior, we can take comfort knowing that good triumphs over evil.
That was apparent after numerous pro-life supporters used the occasion to share their pro-life stories with FiveThirtyEight, rather than abortion stories.
Here are a smattering of examples:
My sister was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery at 1 month old, today she is 14, plays the piano, draws and adores LOTR, she is a constant reminder that all babies deserve life https://t.co/c31fzZg0PU
— Shania is celebrating Christmas (@shanianottwain2) December 27, 2021
I have a story about a brave woman I love who was 15 and stood up to her boyfriend’s family and didn’t have an abortion. Our daughter is ten. https://t.co/mBp2stBA3J
— MaryElizabethColeman (@meaccoleman) December 28, 2021
Doctor was concerned that my mom’s last child was going to be born with Down’s Syndrome, recommended that she abort the baby. Well, look what the Lord did…I was born 100% healthy, no issues except a small hole in my ear that closed within days. Now, I’m a priest. 😇 https://t.co/XQjFsdgQi7
— Fr. Tom Pringle (@FrTomPringle) December 27, 2021
My mom’s physician asked if she wanted an abortion after the sonogram revealed the baby would be born without fingers and missing a leg. She said no. “His life has value.” My brother was born completely healthy. All fingers and limbs! @LiveAction #prolife https://t.co/9ppPKqML34
— Hi, I’m Rea. (@reamcfarland) December 27, 2021
So with our youngest we were told he would be mentally handicapped in some way. The drs advised we have an abortion so he wouldn’t burden our lives in our 20’s. Yeah that kid is two today and was born perfectly fine. He had a great Christmas and this tweet is disgusting https://t.co/IBY5FBUwPD
— Peter J Kratofilow (@PeterJKratofilo) December 26, 2021
Many of the replies were from women who, though encouraged by friends or doctors to abort their child, chose life instead. They shared pictures of their smiling children, who wouldn’t be alive today had they chosen abortion.
The replies even led the official Twitter account of the March for Life to encourage people to go read the replies to FiveThirtyEight’s tweet.
“You have to read these responses! Story after story on how #ChoosingLife brought joy, love, and empowerment to countless families,” the March for Life wrote.
The replies led actress Patricia Heaton to write, “This account tastefully posed this question on Christmas, the day celebrating the birth of Christ, but the replies are wonderful stories of courage and joy. Huzzah!”
It’s a solid bet that FiveThirtyEight didn’t expect the heartwarming replies of so many pro-life supporters. But because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christians take hope that, just like with countless pro-life stories, “mercy triumphs over judgement” (James 2:13).
Photo from Shutterstock.
