A Reflection
a story by David Woodruff
In this season we celebrate a child, and children. As parents, we might celebrate children with fancy dresses and school holiday parties and a Christmas pageant at church. Maybe even a trip to see Santa or the Trail of Lights. A lot of planning can go into an effort to make memories. But some of the most enduring memories come from unscripted moments that might have caused parents to cringe. Four-year-olds can help with this. Consider:
My oldest brother-in-law sang “Away in a Manger” in his grandparents’ country church while his mother played the piano. During the silence that followed the polite applause, Michael said, in his outside voice, “Mom, what does that word ‘nigh’ mean? I never heard that word before in my life.”
Our daughter Lydia was one of many doves at her first UUMC Christmas pageant. She smiled and sang softly, though not exactly at the same time as the other children. Her sweet Sunday school teacher asked Lydia what song she had been singing. “Oklahoma!”
Our daughter Grace spent early Christmas Eves in the little church in her mother’s hometown. When her candle went out during Silent Night, she felt comfortable walking down front to relight it from one of the altar candles. While there, she noticed the thimble-sized plastic communion cups that had so fascinated her earlier in the service, and she took a moment to gather up a few and bring them back to our pew. Later, some of the nice church ladies presented Grace with several more, complete with grape juice residue.
Over time, our capacity for wholehearted, full-contact celebration might wane. This Advent, let the ability to embrace the moment be born anew in all of us.
Scripture: Mark 10: 14b-15
God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.
Prayer
O God, Let us come to you like children, full of wonder and hope, unscAripted and true, curious and gracious. Amen.
