Let's Welcome Our Lord, Jesus

Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes my Father who sent me."

Mark 9:36-37



Christmastime is just around the corner! It is easy for us to think of welcoming Jesus into our world. We imagine Him as a newborn baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. We can see him so clearly in our mind's eye as a baby. Can we see Him in our babies and children?


Each one of you are so precious to me. You give of yourselves to serve our littlest ones at FishHawk Fellowship Church. Have you ever stopped to ponder the verses above? Each time you welcome a child on Jesus's behalf, you welcome Jesus and God the Father who sent Him!

How did Jesus welcome the children? Look at verse 36. He took the child in His arms. That gives me a picture of love, security, and acceptance. Can you imagine physically being in the arms of Jesus? Sometimes we have moments when the presence of God seems so tangible, but to feel His embrace? To have the nail-pierced hands touching the back of this broken vessel - it brings tears to my eyes to even imagine. Do we show the children that kind of sacrificial love?


When I picture Jesus taking that child in His arms, I picture a place of perfect security. Who could harm that child when she was being held by Jesus? As parents, who better to hold our children than the Savior of the world? Do the babies and children of FishHawk Fellowship Church feel safe and secure in our presence?


Picturing that embrace once more reminds me of the feeling of complete acceptance. There could be no question in the mind of that child as to whether or not she was acceptable to Jesus. His warm embrace edged out any doubts. I imagine at that moment she knew she could say anything to Jesus. He loved her and accepted her. Do our children know they are acceptable to us? Are we making them clean up and give all the right answers, or are we inviting them to come as they are, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the cleansing work in their lives?


I ask myself these questions as I ask them of you. We have the incredible privilege of welcoming God the Father and God the Son in our midst each time we welcome the children on behalf of Jesus. Can you think of a more amazing way to serve the Lord and those in our church?


This Christmas season, let's strive to meet the Savior each time we serve our children. Let's commit to love, protect, and accept these littlest ones who were and are so precious to the Lord. May we also thank the Lord for allowing us to welcome Him.


Grace and Peace to you all!