On the Sunday of His last week on Earth, Jesus went to the temple, and more than once.  We know the verses well about His turning the tables over, His anger at their greed and callousness.  But we usually pass over the verses that tell us of the children praising Him, and the indignation of the temple authorities.  But that shouldn't surprise us, as adults are ones writing the story and adults tend to overlook children.  Not all the time, mind you, but they usually do when writing the story.

          At the time of Christ, children were not adored to the extent they are today.  At that time, they truly practiced the adage, "Children should be seen, but not ..."  Today children have center stage more often than not.  Generally, I think it's good, though things may get out of hand, such as the number of camcorders one sees at a children's school program.  I just hope Mom and Dad enjoy watching those films often and not just store them away and forget them.

          Years ago, humorist Art Linkletter wrote a book called, Kids Say the Darndest Things.  It was filled with great laughs.  It reminds me of the third grade teacher who took some well known proverbs and gave each child in her class the first half, and had them come up with the rest.  Here are some examples she got back: Strike While The (Bug Is Close), It's Always Darkest Just Before (Daylight Savings Time), Don't Bite The Hand That (Looks Dirty), A Miss Is As Good As A (Mister), Where There's Smoke, There's (Pollution), Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You - Cry And (You Have To Blow Your Nose), If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You Will (Stink), Better Safe Than (Punching a 5th Grader), A Penny Saved Is (Not Much), Children Should Be Seen And Not (Grounded), If At First You Don't Succeed (Get New Batteries), When The Blind Leads The Blind (Get Out Of The Way), There Is No Fool Like (Uncle Freddie).

          When Jesus came into the temple at the beginning Holy Week, some children followed Him, shouting and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David."  Children always liked Jesus because He took time for them.  Someone once wrote, "Nothing you do for children is ever wasted," and Jesus would have agreed completely.  He loved the little ones.  He stopped and talk with them; He held them when parents brought them to Him; He played with them; He loved them and made them feel important.

          I think most of us hope little ones will keep quiet in church.  As I've led worship services, I've observed the struggles adults have with restless children.  Some Sundays, the little ones almost seem to talk to each other, and not always pleasantly.  They hear another squeal, and one cry can result in two or three more.  I know that this bothers some folks, but I still would rather have a church with crying babies than one with silent, and sullen adults.  We all need to be more understanding of parents and grateful they bring their kids, even if they don't always behave as ours did.

          Since the Reformation, the Church has valued children far more.  During the "Dark Ages", before Luther and the Reformers, children were valued for what they could do for the adults.  They were future workers, or heirs, or proof of virility or femininity, but rarely were they valued for just being children.  Children are young humans; they're loving, funny, curious little people who need a lot of attention, understanding and training.  And they have an intrinsic and precious value all by themselves.

          At a Chicago Catholic school years back, the children were taught to go to confession at least once a week.  Because the younger children often forgot their sins when they entered the confessional, a priest suggested that teachers have the students make lists so they'd remember.  The next week when one child came to confession, the priest heard him unfolding paper and begin, "I lied to my parents.  I disobeyed my mom.  I fought with my brothers and..."  There was a pause and then the remark, "Hey, this isn't my list!"  What's on your list in life?  Where does God fit in?  Where do children fit in?

          We here at Epiphany need to ask that question too.  Where do our children fit in?  One thing is sure - we need to do better than we have.  We don't have good Sunday School facilities.  And it's surely not for lack of trying by our teachers.  Our teachers do the best they can, but they don't have much to work with in facilities.  Looking back, I believe we must admit we made a mistake when we didn't build classrooms.  The house served us awhile, but it no longer serves us well.  We need better classrooms to teach our children about Jesus.  Years ago families might have accepted two classes meeting in one room, or tiny rooms upstairs and a dark basement, but that doesn't work today.  We've already had a few families who have left us because they wanted better facilities for their children.  And we have a large generation of kids growing up!

          In a midwestern church nursery, the Church had a speaker in it so the people there could hear the preachers sermon, like we have in ours.  Often during the sermon, the preacher would raise his voice louder to get his message point across, and sometimes it disturbed the children, even causing them to cry.  One Sunday morning the nursery attendance had a few older children playing, "Simon Says."  (Simon says, raise your hand… or Simon says smile.)  When it came to one child’s turn, he looked up at the speaker, and said, "Simon says, turn that thing off!"

          Have you ever visited our nursery during the 10:30 service?  It's usually packed.  We're going to have to add more space there, and soon.  And yes, some parents are blessed with well-behaved children, and some parents do well at keeping their children with them during worship, but times have changed.  We adults without small children aren't always so understanding when little ones squeal or act out.  You'd be surprised how well I can see your reactions to a crying child from here.  There are plenty of scowls and frowns - and yet I do sympathize.

          Years ago, it was common for an older parent to offer help when a mother or father struggled with a crying baby.  We used to help young parents, or even to sit with them during worship to lend a hand.  Today we aren't sure if we should offer help or not.  But I say, give it a try, take the chance - you'll probably make a good friend!  At least those parents will know we care for them and their little ones.

          The cries of children are songs of praise to God.  Their songs may not have nice medoly or have a memorable words, but to God, they are songs of praise of the highest sort.  During His ministry parents often brought their children to Jesus for a blessing, and it didn't always set well with the disciples.  After all, children were to be seen but not ----.  But the cries of children are songs of praise to God.  Parents can give a well-placed hand now and then - whether over the mouth or on the backside down lower.  But we can't ignore doing the best we can for our children.

          Sometimes, though, what we have in mind for kids is not what they have in mind.  Some of our children have expectations when they come to church - even of the Pastor.  A five year old was misbehaving after worship one day and was being taken out for corrective measures.  The pastor was already in the back greeting people, and as she was carried out, the pastor asked her, "Little girl, do you know what you are going to get now?"  She looked up with big brown eyes and said, "A piece of candy?"

          Soon we're going to sing, "Jesus Loves the Little Children."  That's children of all ages, by the way.  We are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  We act out at times, in church and out of church.  We all need understanding and love.  And praise the Lord we have a Savior who understands us in every way.  Jesus does not scowl or frown when we cry.  He knows our pains and joys.  He wants to sit with us, help us, and just love us.  He forgives us our sins of being cranky, or lazy, or fearful.  And He gives us parents and friends to help us face each day.

          I look forward to meeting the challenges we face in these coming months.  Next Sunday morning adults will meet at 9:15 AM to see what those challenges look like.  I hope the meeting will be filled, and that you will come and do your part.  It takes a lot of hands to build a church, and God will welcome your hands too.  Amen!

Copyright © 2006 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.