Ed, my neighbour next door, likes to say that he isn't kid friendly. He grew up when children were to be seen and not heard. According to Ed, it used to be that children just sort of grew up without much pampering or continual parental attention. Kids knew what was expected of them. They knew when to go to bed, when to get up, to eat the food set before them, and watch their language and manners. Families in Ed's day were made up of individuals, with a clear distinction between parents and children. Ed claims that now the parents honour and obey their children instead of the other way round.
Imagine my surprise this December to find Ed in a Santa suit, being right jolly to all ages of children. Ed told me, "You are not the only person who gets to work a little part-time."
"But you don't even like kids!" I said to Ed in amazement.
"What's that got to do with anything? I don't need to like kids to be Santa. I just have to listen to them. So what if they are naughty or nice? I don't care if their noses are running, if they won't say a word, or if they yap on non-stop. All I need to do is be there in my suit and beard and listen to them. It is like going to church - you show up and listen, but you don't need to like it," Ed responded like a tightly wound up toy.
"Do you find being Santa a little stressful?" I asked Ed. Before Ed was able to answer, they opened the rope and a row of children were waiting impatiently to have Santa listen to them. Anxious parents were there too beside the line hoping for a great photo of their child on Santa's knee.
Ed says he doesn't need to like kids to listen to them as Santa. Thankfully, Jesus saw children in His day as important and worthy of His time and blessing. Little children were brought to Jesus for him to place His hands on them and to pray for them. The disciples tried to send the parents with their children away. Perhaps the disciples viewed children as being insignificant, of no value until they were old enough to work. Jesus said, "Don't hinder the little children from coming to me." He took them in His arms and blessed them.
Jesus stressed we as adults need to be childlike. It means being innocent, trusting, and open to learning from our Heavenly Father. Sometimes children are dismissed because they are seen as immature or silly. Sometimes they are seen as demanding brats. Perhaps it is because children often reflect adults who they see as acting irresponsible, demanding, and unruly.
The Christmas season does give children an opportunity to see Santa Claus and get their picture taken with him. It also is an opportunity for all of us to see the baby born of Mary as the Holy One full of innocence, trust, and willingness to learn from God, His Father in heaven. The season of Christmas reminds us that we need to become more childlike. Our world truly needs more innocence, a greater trust, and a willingness to learn from God our Father in heaven.
