One of the sacred days on the calendar of the church is Children’s Sabbath, where we gather around the children of the church, as they lead us in worship. We celebrate them, teach them, love them, and serve alongside them. Over the course of the next week, our children will be writing prayers, rehearsing songs, and preparing to lead in worship. On Sunday, October 23, they will give new voice to the grace of God around us.
When they read scripture or offer a prayer, we are reminded of the sacred work of worship, which we do together each week. It reminds us of each of our voices and how they are important to all of us. We remember that every person’s voice is valued as we worship with one another.
We give thanks for our children as they lead us, and we learn with and from them. It is why we hear about children throughout scripture, where in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, it says, “Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” We hear it in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We hear it in Luke 18:17, “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” We hear it in John 12:36, “While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.” We hear it in Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” We hear it in 1 John 3:18, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.”
We learn with and from our children, as they lead us in worship on Children’s Sabbath, and as we remember how we are all God’s children. Each voice is important to all of us when we worship. We will hear again from the voices of our children, calling us to hear again the voice of the love of God.
-Tripp