Christmas in October

Why is it as a children's pastor you feel a lot of the Christmas pressure so much earlier than everyone else? With the first signs of Christmas decorations at the dollar store, or the release of the latest Christmas Veggie Tales movie, come familiar carols ringing in your head. Next comes the memories of children throwing hay during manger scenes and crooked halos on cute little heads. It brings you warm fuzzies and a little bit of terror as you remember the long hours, the hair turning grey on your head, and the late nights programming lights to music. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE Christmas productions. Love them! They bring back fond memories of being a part of productions as a child. They help focus us on the meaning of the season. It's how we handle the process that can so easily take us far, far away from the true meaning of 'ministry' and 'Christmas' itself.

I was gearing myself up to the prospect of doing a 'Family production' this Christmas at our church. Then several events made me aware of the internal pressure we put on ourselves in children's ministries to live up to expectations at Christmas time. Sometimes it's expectations we put on ourselves. And sometimes it expectations from past traditions, or our own past accomplishments (trying to outdo the performance before). I don't actually need to 'prove' anything to myself any more. And it's changing the way I do everything in ministry. I still believe in excellence. I believe that the arts are an amazing opportunity to show Jesus to the world and that they help make Christmas...FEEL like Christmas. But in the bigger picture of things this year...I'm scaling it back. Not because we couldn't have snow falling on the stage (I might still do that actually), and not because having confetti canons wasn't a GREAT idea when we used them....but, because for this year, for our church, and for me as the person who is running 'the show', "less is more". What we will do will be intentional, held in the community, for the kids...but I won't be allowing it compete for a space on my trophy shelf of accomplishments for the kingdom. Afterall, the kingdom came in a dirty, unpolished stable, and the tune of angels rang clearer than any song choir mics can obtain.

Wow....I feel a burden released. I hear "Silent Night"being sung in my head right this minute.

All is calm.

All is bright.

Peace.

Weak in the knees

It never fails that it takes a crisis to suddenly step up your prayer life. I'm a person who believes whole hearted in the power of prayer. I have huge faith in God doing the impossible. I've seen too many miracles, and felt His presence too close to deny His sovereignty and love. I serve such an awesome God.

This past week I have cried more intercessory tears than I thought imaginable. I have sensed His peace and His holiness each time I've devoted any amount of time to speaking with Him. Why I don't spend this much time in prayer on a regular basis is beyond reasoning or excuse. This busy-ness of life thing, is selling us all short.

His Word says to draw near to God and he will draw near to you. The thing is...His nearness is making me weak in the knees. Literally when I go to stand up, I am worried my legs will give out underneath me! My knees are weak because I'm so dependent on Him for strength. Weak because He is so worthy and I am so not. Weak because I'm in love with, the One who first loved me. Weak because when I am weakest...He is strong.

When a child is sick

When a child is sick in your kids ministries, it feels like you are helpless. You bring presents to the hospital, check your email about thirty times a day, and do your best to offer help where you can.

Then you pray.

You pray that God will make everything better.

You pray that every ounce of fear in that little child's heart will disappear. You pray that somehow the hospital bed will be more comfortable. That the child in the bed next to her will sleep through the night so she can rest. You pray that her mom and dad will be strengthened. That each breath they breathe (or hold in) will find strength in Christ.

You pray that doctors will find all the answers, but openly pray the answers they find are only good. You pray that the nurses and staff will sense God's presence, and feel the healing touch of God in the room.

When a child is sick in your kids ministries, you're reminded. Reminded that a child who asked to switch their prize for something better last week....may have more to worry about in the week to follow. And the pretty smiles that greet you on Sunday morning, are a treasure and blessing you can't take for granted.

When a child in your kids ministries is sick, you pray down healing from heaven. You pray that what was intended for evil, will turn out for good. That amazing testimony will come, and some day that child will stand to say "I remember when Jesus healed me".

You pray that the protection and bloodline of the Saviour will be all around the rest of the kids in your ministry. That every sibling, every friend, and each new visitor will be healthy and whole in Jesus' name.

When a child is sick....

You pray.