I always bought a bucket of Legos for the churches I served. The kids loved playing with them, and so did I. Legos were invented by a Danish carpenter, Ole Kirk Christiansen. The word LEGO is derived from the Danish phrase leg godt, which means “play well.” By the way, Christiansen was a Lutheran. His family was active in the Church Association for the Inner Mission.

I can’t imagine some of the people in the church where I grew up appreciating kids playing at church. As a matter of fact, I suspect some of them would be quite put out about it. Church is serious business. Harumph!

I confess there isn’t much in the Bible about playing. There is a prophecy in Zechariah 8:5 about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem after the exile that says: “ And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” That’s all there is. What I don’t find in the Bible is a condemnation of playing or having a enjoyable time.

For me, there has been just too much “scowly -faced” Christianity. Some people seem to think you aren’t a real Christian unless you’re grumpy about something, and especially you should be grumpy about children who are having a good time at church. Not me. I wish all Christians would embrace the spirit of a bunch of five-year-olds singing at the top of their lungs, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart.”

Go on. Enjoy yourself. God won’t mind.

Read Philippians 4:4-8 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne