I returned from Christmas Eve service at my church couple hours ago. I had the joy of sitting next to a first grader… She’s just an adorable little girl with a sense of humor that has me laughing non-stop!!! She also has some spunk and sarcasm in her, which I just love!!! I just had to write all this down so I don’t forget my awesome night of sitting next to her.
She pretty much had a running commentary whispered in my left ear throughout the whole service! As soon as the music began with four percussion instruments, she held her ears tight and yelled “Pastor Gloria, this is louder than I had ever expected! I feel like my heart is going to come out of my chest!” Seriously, how could you not love a 6-year old who says stuff like this?
Then we had three monologues from the perspective of a wiseman, a shepherd, and Mary. In the middle of the shepherd’s monologue, she turns to me and whispers “you know, he’s not really a shepherd… he’s just fake acting!” Once again, a huge smile on my face… And every time the characters cracked a joke, she would cover her mouth as if she’s trying to hold in her laughter. At one point, she couldn’t see what was happening on stage so she hopped onto my lap…. and once again she whispered in my ear, “you know Pastor Gloria, it really bothers me that my sister has her feet on my chair. Hmmm…” This kid just cracks me up!!!
She sang all the Christmas carols with us… She even danced and held up her hands as we sang to and about Baby Jesus, our King! We ended the night with “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “Silent Night.” When we started singing “O Come Let Us Adore Him” multiple times in a cappella, I started to tear as we went into “Silent Night.” She was standing on the chair next to me, and I don’t know if she could see me… but she gave me a bear hug, put her face right up to mine and once again whispered “I like this song… It sounds familiar to me.” Once again, my face broke out in a huge smile.
I’m reminded how special it is for kids to worship with adults! I would have missed out on this precious moment with this first grader had I sat next to another adult. To see worship through the eyes of a child… It was so special to me! She also got to experience how adults worship… she saw her mom raising her hands in reverence as she sang. She got to see people in love with Jesus… and worshipping our King! What a special night it was… The message was special… but for me, worshipping with a 1st grader and seeing worship through her eyes and her thoughts made it even more special! I definitely have more thoughts about this… but for now, I just wanted to share my special night before I forget! I say this all the time… but seriously, KIDS ARE AWESOME!!!
gloria s. lee 