I always think that this is a bit of an understatement because, in reality, Christmas is for everyone. However, it is a great joy and indeed a solemn duty to ensure that we pass on to our children the true meaning of Christmas.
I love that phrase in Two Timothy which mentions Lois, his grandmother and Eunice his mother. Three generations of Christian faithfulness. I know the great debt of gratitude that I owe to Adelaide, my grandmother and Audrey my mother in ensuring that the faith was imparted to me. As George Carey once said when he was Archbishop of Canterbury - "The Christian faith is only one generation away from extinction". That means that if we fail to pass on the Good News of the Gospel to the next generation then we have lost the greatest treasure the world has ever known. When it comes to the jewels of the gospels:-
"Keep reminding them of these things"
Recently a number of us from Kelvedon and Feering attended a very good conference in Chelmsford Cathedral on "Church Schools". It was truly inspiring to hear of the wonderful educational work being carried out by the Church of England Schools within this diocese of ours. How blessed we are to have two excellent Church of England schools within our United Benefice. Under the current leadership of Greg Waters and Steve Taylor we can all be proud of what is being achieved within our local schools.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my own ministry is the work I do in connection with the two CofE schools. Much time and effort is devoted by the Foundation and other Governors to supporting the staff and students in the vital and visionary work that goes on in both of our wonderful schools. Not only do I personally gain much satisfaction from taking Assemblies and School Services in our churches but it always gives me a great boost just to talk to the children. How lovely it was to go with Year One children from Feering School on a school visit to Marsh Farm and to see the wonder in the eyes of the children as they saw the cows being milked. What a joy it is to converse with Year Six children from Kelvedon School when they are setting out the chairs ready for the Morning Assembly. Thank you particularly to the "bright spark" who always has a new joke each time to tell me to brighten up my day.
Yes, the enthusiasm, the wonder, the potential and the glory of God to be seen in our children can certainly enlighten the dullest of days. So perhaps because of these things it can indeed be said that "Christmas is for Children" for what is more uplifting than the smiling face of a child on Christmas Day? So because Christ Himself became a Child on the very first Christmas Day we can rejoice that Christmas is indeed for children of every age.
I have always admired the spiritual insightfulness to be found in the prayers of Michel Quoist. So I conclude with one particular prayer which is based on a meditation on Mark 10: 13-15 "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
"God says, I like youngsters.
I want people to be like them.
I don't like old people unless they are still children. I want only children in my kingdom; this has been decreed from the beginning of time. Youngsters - twisted, humped, wrinkled, white-bearded - all kinds of youngsters, but youngsters. There is no changing it, it has been decided, there is room for no one else.
I like little children because my likeness has not been dulled in them. They have not botched my likeness; they are new, pure, without a blot, without a smear. So, when I gently lean over them, I recognise myself in them. I like them because they are still growing, they are still improving. They are on the road, they are on their way.
But with grown-ups there is nothing to expect any more. They will no longer grow, no longer improve. They have come to a full stop. It is disastrous - grown-ups think they have arrived. I like youngsters because they are still struggling, because they are still sinning. Not because they sin - if you understand me - but because they know that they sin, and they say so, and they try not to sin any more. But I don't like grown-ups, they never harm anyone, they have nothing to reproach themselves for. I can't forgive them. I have nothing to forgive. It is a pity; it is indeed a pity, because it is not true.
But above all I like youngsters because of the look in their eyes. In their eyes I can read their age. In my heaven there will be only five-year-old eyes, for I know of nothing more beautiful than the pure eyes of a child. It is not surprising, for I live in children, and it is I who look out through their eyes. When pure eyes meet yours, it is I who smile at you through the flesh. But on the other hand I know of nothing sadder than lifeless eyes in the face of a child. The windows are open but the house is empty. Two eyes are there but there is no light. And, saddened, I stand at the door, and wait in the cold and knock. I am eager to get in. And he, the child, is alone.
He fattens, he hardens, he dries up, he gets old. Poor old fellow! Alleluia! Alleluia! Open, all of you, little old men! It is I, your God, the Eternal, risen from the dead, coming to bring back to life the child in you.
Hurry! Now is the time. I am ready to give you again the beautiful face of a child, the beautiful eyes of a child . . . For I love youngsters, and I want everybody to be like them."
WITH ADVENT & CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
FATHER DAVID