The Innocence of a Child

This Christmas season was a very special time for our family.  It was the first year that both the kids "got it".  They understood that Christmas was more than Santa and presents.  They understood about God and Jesus being born.  They wanted to give to others and share with others.  It was a really special time.

This Christmas was also special since I was able to share my voice and do a solo for my Women of Heart Bible study group.  I haven't done a solo for a long time (years, actually).  God has put me on a sort of hiatus, dealing with me and my pride.  Changing me and growing me.  (That's another blog, though!)  Anyway, I was really looking forward to it.  Not so that I could become 'known' again for my voice.  I really wanted to share the real meaning of Christmas with the ladies and give the glory back to God.

I chose my favorite Christmas song "Welcome to Our World" by Michael W. Smith.  It is very powerful and reminds us that Jesus came not just as a baby, but eventually 'robbed our sin' to 'make us holy', even though he had no sin.  I love it so much.  Still one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time!!

I practiced around the house, usually when Emma was around.  (I had fun explaining to the kids about the song and what it meant, explaining that I sometimes cry at the last verse when it talks about Jesus robbing our sin.)  Without fail, I would begin practicing the song and Emma would be right there listening.  I would get to the last verse and she would begin to cry.  The first time I asked her why, and she responded about Jesus dying on the cross for us!  I was totally touched.  The remainder of times that I sang the song, Emma would always burst into tears right at that moment.

You may be thinking that she was just mimicking what I said I did at that part.  So let me share with you  another experience with her.  We always read a Bible story before bed.  She loves the Children's bible with all the pictures in it.  She gets to choose which story she wants.  One night she choose Jesus dying on the cross.  As soon as we got to that part she began to cry.  Even when I went on to tell her about Jesus rising from the dead, she still cried.  She still cries every time we read that story.

All this is to say that I wish I cried more about that story.  I mean, there are times when that happens, but we are so inundated with tragedy in the news, on TV shows, in our daily lives, that I think we are jaded; too jaded to respond as Emma does to the death of our Saviour for our sins.  Whether or not she fully understands the story is not the point.  The point is that she understands that Jesus was a wonderful person, God's Son.  He performed miracles, he healed people, he loved children.  And then he died.  He died for you and me.  Our sins.  He was perfect, and yet he still took all our sins and died.

I hope that I will remember this about Emma for years to come!  She really brought to light the innocence of a child which God wants us to have.  Let us not forget that even in his birth, his death was already foretold.  Let us not forget his sacrifice.  Thank-you, Emma for the reminder!!