And a Little Child Shall Lead Them

"Let the little children come to me, do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs." Mark 10:14b

We put up the tree last night. It was more of a chore than it had been in the old days. Something was missing. I think it's because we're really accepting now that we are empty nesters. Although Erik has been out of the house for several years now, his marriage to Sarah puts the punctuation on an era of our lives. We no longer have a child in the house through whom to "see Christmas."

I think when children are involved we are more apt to really get into the season (advent i mean--but Christmas prep, too). I saw our Advent calendar in the bottom of one of the boxes of decorations last night. I left it there--too late to use it now, and I didn't have a kid eager for its use to remind me to get it--and use it!

The childhood experience of Christmas has of course been romanticized and idealized in print and television media. But I think there is something about the eagerness to believe and excitement in the story of Christ's birth that motivates us old folk. Their total investment in the every detail of the story, and their absolute faith in the baby who is born to save the world is a model for us.

Jesus rebuked his disciples when they tried to keep the kids away from him. Perhaps he missed the influence of the children that ran and played about his carpenter's shop in Nazareth. Perhaps he missed telling them the stories of prophets and kings and patriarchs and matriarchs of their faith. Yes, I think Jesus knew that people needed a child's perspective to balance out the own adult one.

So, I'm looking forward to Erik and Sarah coming to town tomorrow. And especially to the children's sermon Monday night. My advice to you--spend some time with some kids--yours or otherwise. See the preparations through their eyes. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these! Maranatha!