What Child Is This?

There was an old television program called “Kids Say The Darnest Things” hosted by the late Art Linkletter. It was an impromptu program where the host Mr. Linkletter would have children on his show answering various and obscure questions. The children would answer honestly and candidly. Always roll-all-over-the-floor funny. Pure innocence. The program might have been better titled “Kids Say And Do Dumb Things”. They play with an awe of fantasy, imagination and belief that we adults often call nonsense. But it’s real to them.

Jesus also called the little children unto himself and said in Matthew 19, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Jesus wanted these little children to come because he loves them and because they have the kind of attitude needed to approach God. He didn’t mean that heaven is only for children, but that people need childlike attitudes of trust in God. The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to stubbornness of the religious leaders who let their education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in Jesus. Jesus says in Proverbs that we are to, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” “In the way he should go” is literally “according to his (the child’s ) way.” It is natural to want to bring up all our children alike or train them the same way. This verse implies that parents discern the individuality and special strengths that God has given each one. While we should not condone or excuse self-will, each child has natural inclinations that parents can and should develop. By talking to teachers, parents, grandparents, family members, church guidance counselors, pediatricians and friends and other professionals, we can better discern and develop the individual capabilities of each child. Many parents want to make all the choices for their child, but this might hurt them in the long run. Smothering a child can be detrimental to a child’s development. When a parent teaches a child the right message and paths to follow and how to make good solid decisions, they won’t have to watch every move and step the child takes. The parent will know the child has made the right choice because the parent has trained and provided loving direction for their child. Train your child to make the right choice.

Children are very trusting and have even bigger imaginations during the Christmas season and about Santa Claus, riding in a sleigh up in the air, reindeer flying with red noses, delivering gifts all over the world in one night. After all, don’t we teach them that the Tooth Fairy brings them money for lost teeth, cows jump over the moon, each little girl is a princess and each little boy is a he-man? Be careful what you teach. They love stories and truth. Read the Bible and children will believe in God and His Word and that he is true to his word. Childlike faith isn’t always rational. Children believe what they are told, especially by parents. Tell them about God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit. Tell them about the little child born in a manger. A special child like themselves. This child born in Bethlehem had a pure love for all people. Is there anything purer than the love of a child?

At some point, we all start deciding whom we will love, follow and believe in. But love is not a choice for a child, they just love unconditionally. Be gentle with them. However we do need to be clear that we do not need to be childish in all our aspects of our walk with Christ. In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul says, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” Paul is telling the Corinthians here to become spiritually mature, to grow up and quit acting like spiritual babies needing babies milk who need to be spoon fed the Word. He calls them to be more like adults like Jesus—loving adults.

Childhood is wonderful and full of awe, let them enjoy it for the time that they can, but, make no mistake, don’t let them miss and learn about Jesus. Let them hear this Christmas, “O night divine, O night divine, fall on your knees, O hear the angels voices, O night divine, O night when Christ was born.” What a night, what a child was given us, what a Savior. What a glorious birth.