December News

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As a teacher, Christian educator, and leader of youth, I have often heard the expression, “children are the future.” This expression is given as the reason for taking care of children – for providing programs that educate and nurture our future leaders. I have never liked or agreed with this expression. I don’t believe that children are the future so much as they are the present. The phrase implies that we should take care of children so that they will take care of us when we get older. It also implies that children cannot be leaders until they have grown to be adults. I’m here to tell you that this is nonsense. I spend a significant part of my time with children and youth, and I know that I have learned as much, and perhaps more, from them than they have ever learned from me. I am constantly surprised by their wisdom. Children are wonderful teachers. They challenge us by asking, “Why,” and requiring us to think about the answers. They are open to new ideas, and their solutions to problems cut through the perceived complications to find simple, profound answers. In the Gospel of John, Jesus and the disciples were faced with feeding 5000 people, and Jesus was able to provide a miracle because one boy shared his lunch. Children give us hope – we hope that they will get more things right in this world than we did. It is appropriate during the seasons of Advent and Christmas to think about children, especially since Advent is a season of hope as we anticipate the birth of a child, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I often wonder what we are teaching our children at this time of year. Are we teaching them about God’s grace freely given in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Or, are we teaching them that gifts are given only if you are good or rich. Are we teaching them to prepare their hearts and minds to welcome the Christ child? Or, are we teaching them to be greedy as they wait to welcome new toys. Children can lead us by asking the right questions and sharing simple solutions, but are we ready to provide the truth of God’s love and forgiveness and Jesus’ call to discipleship. I hope that we are. I wish for us a season of Advent full of hope and revelation as we prepare for the arrival of the child who will lead us as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of