I following story was in the Magnificat’s Advent Companion book for yesterday:

Two years ago I gave birth to my eighth child, Genevieve. She was born three and one-half months early, weighing just over a pound. She had defects of her heart and intestines. She had Down syndrome. But she cried out when she was born — she was alive! Genevieve was admitted to the intensive care unit in the hospital; there she lived her whole life in a fancy plastic box, with wires and tubes sticking out of her. Many of the hospital staff looked the other way when they passed Genevieve. I suppose it was because they thought that she — with her many problems — was not worth all the trouble. I visited her every day. When the nurses permitted it, I held her tiny body close to mine and felt her soft breath against my chest. I was often tempted by the mumblings of the staff. Was my fragile baby worth all the trouble? But then, a hidden strength came. It was the faith of Mary, who replied, “Let it be done,” the faith of Joseph, who awoke and did “as the angel of the Lord had commanded.” Drawing on their faith, depending on the prayers and witness of countless others — the communion of saints! — I stayed by Genevieve’s side. Genevieve died when she was three months old. And I can assure you: she was worth all the trouble.

Reflection based on Matthew 1:18-25
Lisa Lickona

Every human being is worthy of life and love, even if only for a moment.

Father in heaven, grant that I may
share in the faith of Mary and
Joseph, through whose love and simple devotion your Son — a little
baby — was sheltered while on earth.