January 22 is National Sanctity of Human Life Day. This observance was established in 1984 through President Ronald Reagan’s proclamation, which designated the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (January 22, 1973) as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Although Roe v. Wade has been overturned, it is important for us to continue to honor the sanctity of unborn life. There are at least two reasons why this remains significant.
First, when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022, each state had to determine their stance on abortion. In 2020, Utah lawmakers passed a “trigger law” to automatically ban most abortions should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade. However, when Roe fell, abortion rights advocates immediately challenged the law, and a few days later, a Utah district court judge put it on hold. This kept abortions legal and accessible in Utah up to 18 weeks gestation.
However, there is an even greater reason for us to continue to remember the sanctity of the life of the unborn. We must be passionate about protecting every life because every life has value and importance before God. As the saying goes, "We remember lest we forget"; lest we forget that it isn’t about a choice, it’s about a life.
Rudyard Kipling's 1897 poem, Recessional, composed for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, uses the phrase "Lest we forget" to remind us of the transient nature of human achievements and empires. The poem pleads, “Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget!" Forgetting God and the consequences of our choices reveals not only our arrogance before God but also our failure to see the divine authority of God and the impermanence of human endeavors.
Kipling borrowed the phrase from Deuteronomy 6, where the Lord reminds and warns his people not to forget His ways. “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:7–9)
Why are they to do this? Because in their prosperity, they were apt to forget the Lord who delivered them out of slavery and gave them life. He instructs, “take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.” (Deuteronomy 6:12–13)
The National Sanctity of Human Life Day reminds us that all life is precious because it is given to us as a gift from God. For the Christian, the sanctity of human life is rooted and grounded in creation. We believe that we are not a cosmic accident of chance, but a beautiful person created by design by the eternal God. “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” Psalm (139:13–14)
Therefore, it is good and right for us to remember what is obvious lest we forget. All life matters, all life has value, for it is God who gives life.
President Trump, in one of his final acts on January 17, 2022, said the following in his proclamation for the National Sanctity of Human Life Day, “Every human life is a gift to the world. Whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, every person is made in the holy image of God. The Almighty Creator gives unique talents, beautiful dreams, and a great purpose to every person. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the wonder of human existence and renew our resolve to build a culture of life where every person of every age is protected, valued, and cherished.”
There are biblical, moral, and social reasons to protect life. Biblically, we do so convinced that all are created in the image of God, giving all inherent dignity and value. Morally because taking any human life is morally wrong. Socially because upholding the sanctity of life can lead to policies and practices that protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and unborn.
Therefore, it is good for us to remember, lest we forget.
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