Our Lord Jesus Christ came to us as a child, in His nativity. He taught us to come to Him as children. He taught His disciples not to forbid children to come to Him; “for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

In a fallen world that seems more anti-child every day, the church holds the position that it always has. Children are welcome. Children are present. Children are loved. Children participate in the sacraments. Children are trained up in the way that they should go, so that, by God’s grace and mercy, they should not depart from it.

Children are integral to the life of the church. Without them, the parish ages, and her halls grow quiet. With them, the parish multiplies, and smiles and laughter adorn her walls. We welcome them in our services, our fellowship, and every part of our lives as Christians. They are our brothers and sisters, and our equals in the kingdom of heaven.

While we do our best to teach our children, we learn from them as well.

They remind us to approach the church with wonder…

So, please, come to church with your children - the last Sunday of each month, especially, as on those days our priests deliver a special homily just for them! Though, it’s amazing how messages targeted at our youngest audience resonate with even the eldest among us.

Finally, if you see a child smiling at you in church, smile right back at them. If you see a child struggling, have grace and patience and help them, remembering that as they are now, so once were you.

Let’s all worship together as one family, young and old. May God have mercy on us, and on our beloved children.