Washington: Across the nation, the sound of Christmas carols is echoing outside abortion facilities, carrying a message of hope, life, and reflection. For some women facing unplanned pregnancies, the simple strains of âSilent Nightâ have been life-changing, prompting them to reconsider abortion and choose to keep their babies.
The tradition traces back to 2003, when a pregnant woman outside a Chicago abortion clinic paused after hearing carolers sing. The memory of past Christmases stirred in her heart, and she ultimately decided to carry her child to term. Matthew Yonke, spokesperson for the Pro-Life Action League, the organization behind the caroling events, recalls that this first encounter marked the beginning of a nationwide movement. âShe would be the first of many women who chose life after hearing carols,â Yonke said.
Today, nearly 100 caroling groups participate in the annual âPeace in the Wombâ campaign, bringing the joy and peace of Christmas to the doorsteps of abortion clinics. According to Yonke, the initiative is a âsimple call for an end to the violence of abortionâ, connecting the seasonâs message of peace to the sanctity of life within the womb. âAt Christmas, the world pauses to celebrate peace,â he said, âso we hope that the womb, which should be a place of safety and life, can reflect that same peace.â
Even after carolers have finished singing, the impact continues. On December 13 in Downers Grove, Illinois, a couple approached the remaining pro-life volunteers outside a clinic, sharing that they had decided to keep their baby after hearing the carols. Yonke remarked, âStories like this go all the way back to the first year. Weâre thrilled when God uses these beloved songs to touch hearts, even those of non-Christians.â
Similarly, in Milwaukee, a group of carolers gathered outside a clinic on St. Paul Avenue. When a young woman drove into the parking lot, a carolerâs heartfelt plea âPlease donât kill your baby at Christmasâ prompted her to turn the car around and leave without entering the facility.
Local communities have joined the Pro-Life Action League to organize their own caroling events. In Renton, Washington, on December 14, volunteers from St. Stephen the Martyr Parish performed carols outside an abortion center, accompanied by a handmade empty manger built by an 88-year-old parishioner.
Richard Bray, a local pro-life activist, explained the symbolism: the empty manger represents both the anticipation of Christâs birth and the void left by aborted children. âItâs especially poignant during Christmas,â Bray said. âWe gather to sing carols and remind mothers, and our community, that the salvation of the world came through an unplanned pregnancy.â
Through song, presence, and simple gestures, the âPeace in the Wombâ campaign continues to offer hope, inspire life, and bring a Christmas message of compassion to women and families facing difficult decisions.