Yesterday I recruited a little girl named Heather to help me light the third Advent candle, the candle of joy. She was an active participant in our worship service, having already sung in the junior choir. Our choirs joined together to open the service before I invited her forward.
Afterward I thanked her for her participation and she told me that she had been happy to be in church for the baptism which took place early in worship. It turns out that she loves babies and baptisms are amongst her favourite things in church.
She wasn't finished with her involvement. Later in the afternoon she was back with her family for the carol sing and potluck which attracted more than 50 people. It was a low-key and enjoyable event with people of all ages. At one point the song leader (a regular blog reader and contributor) invited the children to come up and sing a couple of their favourites. There was the girl and her sister singing with the rest. These kids seemed totally comfortable in front of the admittedly adoring adults, safe in our support and approval.
It seems to me that growing up in a loving faith environment is essential for Christian development. Our children need to experience Christian community as contributors, not just spectators. It turned out that during morning worship another young woman poured the water into the baptismal font and yet another read scripture in worship. The girl who read asked for the opportunity and her mother was surprised that she had been so bold. A week ago many of our confident and talented children led the White Gift service.
They aren't my actual children, but it feels like they are as I watch them flourish and grow in confidence. Our church needs them as much as they need us. They are the source of a great deal of joy.
5 comments:
Days, like yesterday, are the true gifts of Christmas in a faith community. Junior Choir(where even our youngest is welcome, though she can't quite read all the lyrics yet), Teens'n'tweens, (where one young newcomer to our group openly shared her gratitude for family and Christmas joys bringing tears to her eyes, and mine),Nativity practice for those 5yrs old to 50+ filled with laughter and creative faith, to a pot luck dinner and carol sing where all of our kids felt right at home among the adults, topped off by a trip to a very special house(one of your regular bloggers) that offered each child a Santa to take home from their lifetime of collecting unique and wonderful Santas...These are the memories of Christmastime that will last long after the presents of the year will be forgotten. Our kids are blessed by this love, as are their parents.
It occurs to me regularly that children can only enjoy the benefits of what the church has to offer when the parents are dedicated. A number of readers are parents of young children and I admire you commitment to getting them to the church on time!
My favourite moment in the evening was watching Laura's middle daughter crack up over the madcap version of Jingle Bells sung by a child-at-heart adult.
At this time when lack of self confidence seems almost a disease, I marvel at the confidence of our St. Paul's children. They know they are loved. If we/parents/teachers can nurture that self confidence it will stand them in good stead. They say that Public Speaking is more feared than death (now, how does one know that?) it would seem that our children have not heard that...let's keep it from them shall we?
Oh, I do miss Christmas in Bowmanville with our St. Paul's family! Know that I am thinking of you.
You folks in frigid Saskatchewan, Evan, Josh, Deb and -yes -- Jeff are not forgotten!
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