Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/79

Contributor - Peter J. Yff

Title - Editorial

Topic - Editorial

A few days ago one of the radio stations in our area broadcast a short feature dealing with children, and their place in the world of their families, and their place generally. The reference point of course, was to The Year of the Child.

The United Nations, in stressing this theme for the world this year has done us a great service, if we will but respond. Children are important, not only, bu challenging. Jesus had some very interesting things to say for, and about children. People then, as now, were concerned for greatness and a higher place usually for one's self. Replying to the question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" our Lord stated, " . . unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles him self like is child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:2-4

Lent, which focuses its thought on themes such as sacrifice, and self-denial, is related to this. Should you wonder what becoming like a child has to do with self-denial, think it through for a moment. All of us, at points at least, want things for ourselves. We are concerned for recognition, or advancement, or some advantage. To get past these selfish considerations, to rise above them, is a very real kind of self-denial. Jesus said, "Unless you turn and become like children. . ." What a turning this is, for most of us, at least.

In this Year of the Child we will be hearing much about the rights of children and the importance of providing security, love, and nurture. That all of this and much more, is good and important is quite beyond debate. However, in this Year of the Child let us also think about the impact of our attitudes and actions on children. We do not always credit their insight and perception. this time of year, for example, many people fuss and fume about income to and try one scheme or another to reduce their tax liability. Sometimes schemes are dishonest, and sometimes illegal. Yet we indicate by our actions frequently, that so long as you get away with it, it's quite all right. Then we turn and tell the child, "It's very important that you should be honest with Mother and Dad." We preach honesty, and by example affirm that a clever dodge is both human and permissible. Or we made a promise to our child some little while ago, and then just plain forgot. We invent some plausible explanation and pass this along as the reason for our failure. Probably in nine tenths of such cases the youngster sees right through the evasion, and is conditioned yet a bit more to justify himself in the same way.

Jesus indicates that we need a departure, a turning from such "adult" ways, to the openness of the child. A child is humble, and the Lord taught that we are to humble ourselves. This is real self-denial, for pride is the root sin. Do we acknowledge our own mistakes, as well as correcting those of our children? Do we accept with "child-like faith" still?

Further, if we really want our children to care for their Redeemer, our lives as a family must indicate this, and must create favourable conditions for such response. We hear about children's rights; I would like to suggest that the matter of the greatest import is a privilege: the privilege of being led to, and knowing, the Saviour. Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them." (Matthew 19: 14.) One of the greatest hindrances comes from homes too busy to do more than give lip service, or Sunday morning only time for Christ and his church.

Lent seems to have such an "adult" emphasis. Let's make sure our children understand something of it. They know Jesus died, of course. They will probably be able to say that they know He died for them. What does this mean to them, really? Are they being led in a life that truly makes him welcome on Monday morning, that really lives its faith? Do we really, as congregations and individual members of such, pickup our promise to "renew your vows under this covenant of grace, and promise to sustain the fellowship of faith and life within the Church of Christ, in which our children are made partakers of him and all his benefits? What is your response?

This question, which is taken from our Reformed Church baptismal liturgy is a good question for the Year of the Child. Were the young lad, depicted on our cover, to wander into your church, and to observe some of your actions and attitudes, would he feel encouraged and drawn to the Christ who said, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them." The only hope, this year, or anytime, for the child and the adult, is to be found in the Christ. The one who claims to have been redeemed must be a redeeming, leading influence, especially for children.

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