Let’s Sing:
Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice.
But the real gift is you.
Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad its Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about you.
Happy Birthday Jesus,
Jesus I Love You.
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
(Mark 10:13-16)
If you perceive “childlike faith” as “naiveté,” “simplicity,” or even the “blind resolve” of a child you might find yourself struggling with the concept of “childlike faith”. It will be difficult to reconcile it with other Scripture regarding how we are to think of God. Solomon clearly did not hold this view when he wrote, "How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding" (Prov. 3:13). David says to "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8). Additionally, when you look up the meaning of "faith" in the original language, you’ll find that it involved having confidence in something that was trustworthy. God is trustworthy, Jesus is trustworthy, and the Holy Spirit is trustworthy. So what they say is trustworthy but don’t get it confused with what man says they say. Each of us needs the Holy Spirit to understand Scripture.
Jesus is not talking about all us big people jumping, dancing, and screaming at ear piercing levels. Nor is He encouraging nail biting in public, wearing ice cream on our face or rolling in mud. We were all delightful little free spirits at one time. God’s word instructs all parents to teach, train up and guide each child to a disciplined maturity. When Jesus speaks of becoming like a child He is speaking of humility. So what is humility? It simply means yielding to the Word of God. "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4) Our hearts have all been touched hearing a child’s prayer – that precious humble yielding to who God is that flows so tenderly.
A pearl to string: When I hear these beautiful little voices in the Happy Birthday Jesus song I hear a “childlike faith” and I cannot imagine any other way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.
In joyful agreement with God’s gift of life,
Merry Christmas
Lyndi
No comments:
Post a Comment