Genesis 8:21
……..every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.
Ouch! At Christmas time we long to be like children again……and, too often we are exactly that…..selfish, bratty, demanding, not realizing the many blessings we have already received, wanting more, attentive for barely moments to whatever has caught our attention, then moving on and looking for something else to entertain us……
Then again, children can be sweet and innocent, appealing to the protective and loving part of our nature.
The human condition is one of being capable of “double mindedness”….we are capable of sinfulness; we are capable of saintliness.
And yet Jesus pointed to children…..and said, “Do not prevent such as these, little children, from coming to me.” Somehow, I don’t think Jesus, though he never fathered and raised biological children, was naïve enough to only think of children as sweet and innocent…. we know he had at least a half dozen younger brothers and sisters! Jesus knew that in inviting “such as these” to come to him, he was not eliminating anyone. All are welcome……as little children, whatever that is for us in this moment. Celebrate this season…..like a child……and come to Jesus.
In 2014 a group of women would go on Tuesdays to a local retirement center to sing and entertain . For December 3, 2014 I had noted our theme :
“Today, our Merry Makers will lead singing and entertain the residents of Mathison Retirement Center. Our theme is “as little children”……no matter our age, the spirit of the child still lives within us. Christmas is a time to reconnect with that child and experience the wonder and joy of life again….through the eyes of a child. May the weeks of Advent return your heart to the wonder and joy of life again……as you invite a Child into your heart. Merry Christmas….now and throughout the weeks ahead.