I hope the you have continued on your journey of looking for God in everyday life and sharing that with your children. If you answered yes then count yourself in some very prestigious company, because the wisemen looked for God also.
Yes it is that time of year again...Christmas. What a wonderful opportunity to look for and find God. But, just like the wisemen the journey to finding God at Christmas can be long and difficult. There are many obstacles in the way.
The Wwise men had a long journey to make it took a lot of there time. Sometimes at Christmas our time can become consumed with parties, get togethers, concerts, dramas, projects, decorating, etc. We need to remember the wise men because although their journey consumed a lot of time, they always kept their eye on the star.
The wise men also had gifts that they brought. Talk about a hard person to buy a gift for, how would you like to have to gift the Son of God. The wise men brought precious things to Jesus. The most most precious thing to Jesus is you and me. That is the best gift we can give him.
The wise men had a run in with a intersting king on their journey. He made the search for God almost impossible. We as parents have a guy that almost makes it impossible in our search for God at Christmas. He typically wears a red suit and is cloned, you see him everywhere. Don't let his round tummy and cute reindeer overpower the real reason for CHRISTmas.
The wise men found Jesus and you can too! Just remember to look for him and share him with your children. Watch Rudolph and Frosty, but don't forget to give equal time to shows and DVDs that tell the true story of Christmas. Look for those special gifts, but remember to show some extra kindness this time of year to someone in need and include your child in that process, Decorate the tree, but add some ornaments that will remind your child of Christ and his birth.
And yes enjoy the guy in the red suit, but remember to include things in your Christmas celebration that emphasise the "real guy". Read the Christmas story in Luke. Learn the words to "Joy to the World". Make sure your child attends church this month. read the weekly Bible reading on the KidZone calendar. Put up a nativity scene in your home and let the children help.
The journey is long this time of year, but it is well worth it just ask the wise men.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Looking for God
I love the commercials that you see where an adult is an everyday setting e.g. the grocery store and they are making a total fool of them selves. The grocery store commercial starts out with a woman saying the names of the items in the produce section. The camera pans down and reveals a small child in the grocery basket. We all nod our heads knowingly at the brilliance of how this commercial conveyed it's message. Use all opportunities to teach children.
Hey guess what!? That same idea was described many years ago by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5-9. We as Christian parents should take any opportunity to teach our children God's truths. But, are we looking for them or do we just expect the children's ministries in our church to do that for us. We take our child to the grocery store and teach colors and names of produce but do we teach them who created the produce and what day of creation it was created on? Do we look at a thunder storm and the rain while we are safe in our house and talk with our children about how God keeps us safe through difficult times. We talk to children about how important it is to take care of the pet,but do we talk about how God takes care of us no matter what. We talk about how our children must do their part in the home, but do we take that opportunity to compare that to the importance of being a functioning part of your church family.
We get so caught up in making sure our children a re successful by the worlds standards that we forget to teach them to be successful Christians. It is sooo funny that we will repeat over and over again the ABC's to a child, but not a Bible verse. I hear all the time "I taught my little sweetie to say the whole alphabet" I very seldom hear " I taught my little sweetie a truth from the Bible" We have to balance the two. Look for something everyday to teach your wonderful gifts from God. Of course that means that WE have to be looking for God.
Hey guess what!? That same idea was described many years ago by Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5-9. We as Christian parents should take any opportunity to teach our children God's truths. But, are we looking for them or do we just expect the children's ministries in our church to do that for us. We take our child to the grocery store and teach colors and names of produce but do we teach them who created the produce and what day of creation it was created on? Do we look at a thunder storm and the rain while we are safe in our house and talk with our children about how God keeps us safe through difficult times. We talk to children about how important it is to take care of the pet,but do we talk about how God takes care of us no matter what. We talk about how our children must do their part in the home, but do we take that opportunity to compare that to the importance of being a functioning part of your church family.
We get so caught up in making sure our children a re successful by the worlds standards that we forget to teach them to be successful Christians. It is sooo funny that we will repeat over and over again the ABC's to a child, but not a Bible verse. I hear all the time "I taught my little sweetie to say the whole alphabet" I very seldom hear " I taught my little sweetie a truth from the Bible" We have to balance the two. Look for something everyday to teach your wonderful gifts from God. Of course that means that WE have to be looking for God.
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