More about Christmas today because I discovered some Danes celebrate Jul i Juli, Christmas in July. I once did a Christmas in July for kids as part of a Vacation Bible School course. They loved it. Children seem to celebrate Christmas with more gusto than adults.

Last December, I attended a performance of The Nutcracker where I witnessed one small girl performing her own dance in the aisle while a couple were performing the famous pas de deux on stage. That’s kids for you.

Do kids have the same enthusiasm for going to church? Sometimes. At a Service of Lessons and Carols I watched a three-year-old sitting in front of me. The boy took little interest in the service until the prayers. Down came the kneelers and the boy eagerly took his place on his knees. After a moment he turned to his grandfather who was sitting next to him. With a stern look, the boy pointed down at the kneeler and stared up at grandpa. When the Bishop gave the final benediction the boy boldly made the sign of the cross. Now he was into the worship.

Children seem to grasp things with enthusiasm while we adults are inclined to sit it out. Sometimes that’s all right, but I don’t feel we should be quite so restrained when it comes to worship. Are we impassioned in worship? Are we enthused (literally “possessed by God”)? Do we participate with our whole selves or are we just putting in time? There may be something we can learn from the enthusiasm of children.

Read 1Peter 2:1-3 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne