Submitted by Pastor Bill Hargis, Rock Port and Watson United Methodist Churches

Mark 10:13-16, tells a story of Jesus blessing children. Why would the disciples tell the parents to stop bringing their kids to Jesus? Maybe because children were the bottom rung of the ladder in that time, and there were more “important” people wanting to see Him. How about they were tired and didn’t want to be bothered?

One of my greatest joys is to see, and a lot of the time, hear our kids during worship service. I have always thought we adults could learn a lot about praising God if we would follow our kids’ example. Look in a children’s Sunday School class, or watch them during worship service. You will see smiles, you will hear laughter, you will witness an eagerness for praise and worship to our Abba God that we adults have somehow lost.

A year ago, Addaline Larson told her parents she was not sure about being baptized. She said, “I know that preacher is going to grab my head and hold me under water so I can’t breathe.” About four weeks ago, Addaline asked me if I would baptize her. When asked why the change of heart, she said, “Cuz I love Jesus and God.” She overcame her fear “cuz she loves Jesus and God.” This past week I had the honor of baptizing all three of the Larson children.

Another young man, Greyson Sperber, shared with me this week how excited he is for Christmas Eve services. He told me he was going to be an acolyte, so he would need to “dress up.” He also told me his favorite part of the Christmas Eve service is when everyone stands in a circle, lights the candles, and then we sing “Silent Night!”

I love this time of year. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, the world seems to be a little more receptive to the voice of God. Is it because we are a little more thankful, so we pay more attention to the hope, love, joy, and peace that God promises all of us during this Advent season? Maybe, but I wonder if it is because our kids have such an influence on us, especially this time of year.

In chapter 21 of Matthew, we read of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Here He cleanses the temple by running the money changers out, then He starts healing the blind and lame. While Jesus is doing this, the children are crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David.”

The chief priests and scribes (the adults) heard this and they became angry and said to Jesus, “Do you hear the blasphemy coming from these kids?” And Jesus said unto them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise.” (Matthew 21:16 – KJV).

Three-year-old Laiken Hastert told her family, “You can’t hear God with your ears, you hear Him with your heart!” Out of the mouths of babes. Jesus told the disciples not to turn the children away from Him. He also told the adults if we want salvation we need to come to Him as these little children. Full of wide-eyed amazement, and awe. We need to come to Jesus as a child does, with humble, trusting, dependence, recognizing that we have achieved nothing on our own that will get us to heaven.

When was the last time you overcame your fear, and listened to what God asked of you? When was the last time you were excited about going to church, sharing in the praise and worship of our God? When was the last time you shouted with joy “cuz you love Jesus and God?” And when was the last time you not only spoke to God, but heard Him speak back? If you can’t remember, it’s not too late. God’s calling, are you listening?

Remember, I love you all, and there is nothing you can do about it.