Thursday 3rd December

I was talking to a friend today who was telling me about a dream she had had.

In the dream she was standing at the front in a large church meeting along with other members of a prayer team.  People were coming up to be prayed for.  To her left there was a person who she knows in real life to be a member of the church army .  Whilst the rest of the team had people coming to
them for prayer in ones and twos, this guy had a massive queue of small children lining up in front of him.  Six and seven year olds.  The queue stretched right back to the back of the church and round the corner out of sight.  My friend was just marvelling at this sight and rejoicing that all these kids were coming forward when an old man dressed in a grey suit came into the building and the next thing she knew all the children had scarpered and the whole meeting had been shut down.

We often hear things like ' Christmas is for the children'.   And of course to a great extent the thing that Christmas has become is largely for children.  The presents and Santa and the tree and the cooking is all about making it fun for the kids.  But by far the most important thing to remember is that CHRIST is for the children.

I'm not entirely sure what the grey suited man in the dream represents.  But he is the direct opposite of the children who are patiently waiting to receive prayer.  He is old and grey and suited and stern.  Perhaps he is ' church'.  Or ' tradition'.  Or maybe he represents the generation which has gone before  ( and yes, thats US folks !)   Whoever he is he has the power to scare children away from the loving presence of Jesus.  This Christmas as we over indulge our kids and enjoy making it all about them, lets be alert to every force and influence and grey thing which wants to close down their spirituality and disqualify them.   Church kids are the church.  They are the people Jesus wants us to be like.  They are the ones He brings into the middle of the room and applauds.

Lord Jesus we thank you for children.  For our own children and those we know.  They are brilliant, wonderful amazing little human beings so full of potential and spirituality.  So naturally inquisitive and hungry for You.  Let us never quench their desires, squash their questioning, limit their possibilities or stand between them and their saviour with our rules and traditions and beliefs.   Thank you that You call the little children to come to You.  This Christmas draw our kids close to You and let them know You and see You and hear You and experience You like never before.  Amen