The last two days, Dave and I have spent with family. Such a joy!
Oh, to be a little kid at Christmas! Parties and presents, candies and cookies, hugs and kisses. What a wonderful time.
On Christmas Eve, as Dave read the Christmas story from the Bible our almost two-year-old great granddaughter stood in front of him wide-eyed, watching his face and soaking in the sound of his voice. All other voices were quiet and he was reading her the best story ever.
Yesterday there was no quiet – only giggles and belly laughs. Each child wanting to show us their presents. I sat on the floor in the dark bathroom as our six-year-old and 4-year-old wanted me to see their solar system projection lights. Life at Christmas is wonderful.
Listening is key – each child wanting to be heard. They all have their own stories to tell. One granddaughter wanted my attention. She told me we could come again in a few days and bring donuts and that she and her brother would eat them in their jammies. Donuts are an important of our “love language” with our grandkids.
Then as we were getting ready to leave and had already given hugs, kisses and said our good-byes our grandson wrapped his arms around me and said “I just had to hug you one more time. I love you so much”. My heart melted! If I hadn’t been listening, I would have missed a wonderful moment.
The Bible records the interaction between Jesus and some little children.
“ Some people brought their small children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them. But when the followers saw this, they told the people not to do this. 16 But Jesus called the little children to him and said to his followers, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these little children. 17 The truth is, you must accept God’s kingdom like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” Luke 18:15-17 ERV
Jesus, as great a teacher as he was and as busy as he was, was never too busy to bless the children. Their innocence and their loving acceptance, their childlike faith is an example to all of us. Children don’t need grandiose gestures, they recognize and respond to genuine love.
“Everything and everyone that the Father has given me will come to me, and I won’t turn any of them away. 38 I didn’t come from heaven to do what I want! I came to do what the Father wants me to do. He sent me, 39 and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost. Instead, he wants me to raise them to life on the last day.” John 6:37-39 CEV
Children come with sticky hands and dirty faces. They come with scraped knees and hurt fingers. They come hungry or tired, excited or upset – they experience a full gambit of emotions and they come to find love and acceptance.
The Father accepts us, as His little children, in the same way. It’s His goal to see that not one of us is lost. He is always ready to welcome us to His presence. He is never too busy and we are never too messy to be turned away.
He’s waiting for us to come to Him – like a kid at Chistmas!