It's Almost Here!

In a little over 48 hours Christmas morning will be here! Kids all over will be running to the tree to find their "treasure".  I remember the laughs and the faces of joy that were on the faces of our boys as they opened their gifts. Those memories will always be a part of my life. This year Paul will begin to build his memories with his 18 month old boys. I am sure his house like many others will be full of excitement!

At our last kid's church service I asked the kids what they thought Christmas was all about.  The overwhelming response was Jesus! Well that wasn't the answer I gave them. Christmas is all about gifts. The look on their faces was priceless! Now don't worry I haven't been teaching kids any wrong messages. Christmas is all about gifts, actually it is about a gift. The gift of God's love by sending His son Jesus to us. What better gift could there be?

When Christmas morning does come I guarantee you that the kids will run to the tree and when they see a present with their name on it they will tear it open eager to see what is inside. I have never been one to carefully open a present trying to save the pretty paper, nope I tear into it just like a kid. Wouldn't it be silly to receive a gift and not open it? Yep it sure would!

God has given us a gift and He wants us to open it. It is the gift of salvation through His son Jesus. Just like we give gifts to our children out of love, God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life! See I told you Christmas is all about gifts. God Bless you and Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011

This Christmas season is starting off to be the best ever. We just finished our church's Christmas production " Welcome to our World". We had 5 shows and every night was a packed house. Most of my role was singing in the choir except for a short role as King Herod.

One of the most impressive things about the production this year was the presence of many teenage kids that were part of the children's ministry. I call them my "babies". I love to see the kids that were part of the kids church take part in ministry.  I felt like a proud dad watching them dance,act and sing. The main role of Mary was played by Alexis and she did an excellent job. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was in kids church? Our kids grow up so fast. I hate to sound so cliche' but cherish the moments that they are young because before you know it they are all grown.

Christmas is a time of wonderful traditions. If you don't have a tradition yet this year begin one with your children. The most important tradition we can have  during Christmas is to teach our children that Christ, Emmanuel came to our world. This is wonderful opportunity to help our children connect with the God who came to us. George Barna of The Barna Research Group says " if you want to change your society, connect kids to God". I encourage you to seek every opportunity to connect your kids to God. Our kids team is committed to partnering with parents to help them achieve this.

My prayer for you this season is to teach your kids that Emmanuel has come. God bless you and Merry Christmas.