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You are here: Home / Archives for Children’s Moments

Children's Moments

Talk to Kids About Sin and Restoration without Shaming Them

Alissa Ellett 1 Comment

What’s sin? Have you, like so many others, ever stumbled over your words trying to answer questions like these from your kids? You’re definitely not alone. Talking to kids about sin can feel like a daunting task.

sin

Maybe you were taught something about sin as a kid that was hurtful or traumatic. And, you don’t want to duplicate that for your kids. Or maybe you’ve moved out of your church background. And now that your ideas have shifted, you’re not sure how to communicate them.

We hope to offer you a few tools for going about talking to your kids about sin in a restorative way. How do you engage this topic with your kids? Share with us in the comments below!

Talking about Sin and Power with Kids

Before beginning any conversation with children and youth about sin, be sure you highlight God’s endless and boundless love. There is more than enough forgiveness for any of our personal or communal screw-ups. Jesus’ grace for even those who betrayed and murdered him is evidence enough for this truth.

Explain that sin has a whole lot to do with power. When there is an imbalance of power, we know that somehow somewhere a person or group is missing the mark. This is what we call sin. Tell your kids that we all miss the mark sometimes and hurt others and/or ourselves.

sin

Give them some examples that will make sense to them. When one group of people has more power to access food, housing, parks, money, education, healthcare, safety, etc. than another, somehow, somewhere, a person or group is missing the mark.

Perhaps, if they are old enough, invite them to give some of their own examples where there are those with more power to access certain things than others. Wonder with them about why that might be.

Explain to your kids that God intends and longs for us all to live an abundant life. A life filled with possibility, hope, and joy. A life that is thriving, because it doesn’t need to be primarily concerned with survival. Then, we begin to share in abundant living together.

sin

Looking at Sin Individually and Systemically

Awareness and responsibility are the two most important skills we can teach our children when it comes to creating systems that allow equal access for all. So, help your children look for ways they can be balancers of power.

Individually, when trying to stay more powerful than others we become overly concerned with the maintenance of our reputation, stuff, appearance, and status. We start thinking mine and me rather than ours and us.

And when this happens, we shun vulnerability and can begin to lie, horde, gossip, steal, ignore others’ needs, and use violence.

Systemically, sin functions in a similar way. But instead of individuals, large groups making decisions for mine and me rather than ours and us. The effects can feel pretty far removed from the issues we see in the world. However, you can help your kids learn how to decode this.

sin

Decoding Sin with Kids

To begin decoding sin in a situation, locate an area of suffering. Then, look to see if power to access something is being restricted. Help them search for the why. Figure out a cause. And finally, consider taking action. Here’s an example.

The suffering: Perhaps there are kids getting into trouble after school.

Lack of power to access: Maybe there aren’t safe, constructive activities to do within walking distance.

The why: Kids’ parents are working and can’t pick them up from school to drive them home or to an activity.

The cause: Cost of living force parents to be unavailable. A lack of allocated city resources for parks and recreation.

The action: Start an after school program for homework help or a seasonal sports tournament series. Petition the city for funding. Run a campaign for parks. Create a vanpool to transport kids to after school activities. Start a music program for youth.

Search anywhere. Look in the church, the family, the classroom, the office, the governing bodies, the land. You have endless opportunities to teach your kids about missing the mark and righting wrongs.

sin

Maintain the Connection

No matter what the question a child brings forth to you, maintain the connection. The fact that they feel comfortable enough to bring the ideas and uncertainty to you is huge. Honor that, and you’ll be serving your relationship and offering them a whole lot of confidence to wonder about their faith.

And don’t forget to share with us in the comments below! How do you teach your kids about sin in restorative ways?

Tell Kids the Truth About Santa Claus This Christmas

Alissa Ellett 9 Comments

Santa Claus is a mythical man who has even more gifts to give than his story has ever told us.

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That jovial and magical man who adores reindeer and arrives amidst the sound of sleigh bells. He hails from the North Pole where elves have been toiling away on presents just for us.

These stories create wonder and excitement. And they’re a major part of the fun for many of our families at Christmas time.

But, do you ever wonder if there’s more to the story? Or ever questioned how we got from Jesus’ day of birth to a man descending chimneys with presents. Read on, ’cause I’ve got some really cool stuff to tell you about Santa and it’s only gonna make this Christmas even more meaningful.

FREE SAINT NICHOLAS COLORING PAGE: Download a free coloring page that highlights Saint Nicholas’s life. Click here to access the downloadable PDF.

How do you talk with the children in your life about Santa Claus? We’d love to know in the comments below.

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Historical Roots of Santa Claus

280 A.D.: A boy named Nicholas is born in modern day Turkey. He later becomes a monk known for piety and generosity, giving away all his inherited wealth and traveling to help the poor and sick.

1300: By the Renaissance, he was the most popular saint in Europe, especially in Holland. The Dutch Sint Nikolaas is shortened to Sinter Klaas, and in English that’s… Santa Claus!

He was celebrated in the Church for generations on December 6th, the anniversary of his death, and became known as a protector of children and sailors.

1780s: Santa Clause comes into American culture when New York newspapers report Dutch families celebrating his death in the streets.

Early 1800s: St. Nick is named New York’s patron saint.

1820s: Shopping and gift-giving become a popular way to celebrate Christmas.

1822: An Episcopal minister writes a poem for his daughters that creates the reindeer-loving, sleigh-riding, gift-giving Santa we know today. This poem later becomes known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

1881: An illustrator draws a picture of a North Pole-hailing, jolly, rotund man he calls Santa Claus. Santa is complete with a fur-trimmed suit, wife, workshop, and elves.

Department store and advertising executives took it from there. And here we are!

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Santa Claus and Baby Jesus

So, Sint Nikolaas wasn’t associated with Christmas at all for hundreds of years. But, as time passed, a three-stranded braid of Santa Claus, Jesus’ birth, and commercialism came together to create the Christmas celebration we know today.

Since Saint Nicholas’ feast day was so close to Christmas it’s easy to make the connection. Also, his life was one that speaks to Christ’s legacy on Earth, dedicating his life to helping the marginalized.

So, is this conflating of myth, culture, and history bad? Nope.

Life always informs theology. Therefore, faith without the blending of ideas with culture and truth is simply impossible. There’s no such thing as pure religion anywhere in the world. Religion is essentially the blending of broad culture, faith experience, and theological reflection.

Consequently, we have things like the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, clergy robes, rosary beads. At Christmas, it’s Christmas trees, twinkle lights, stockings, presents, and Elf on a Shelf.

The historical evolution of the Santa myth and its significance is a great example of this blending. We have collectively found ways to bring this monk-turned-mythical-creature into the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

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The Legacy of Santa Claus

The fanciful stories we tell of reindeer, sleigh bells, the North Pole, elves, and the wonder they create in children’s hearts and minds, is a major part of Christmas fun.

But, Santa was also a real guy with a lot to tell us about living beautifully. When we know the history, Saint Nicholas’s life is filled with stuff we’d love our kids to know and practice. So, how can we teach our kids this man’s amazing legacy?

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Enriching Christmas for Children

Consider sharing with your children that Santa did some pretty spectacular stuff without any magic required.

He lived his life as an act of worship to God. Saint Nicholas shifted his focus to what God was up to and used his life to take part in that beauty. As a result, he lived his life as a song of thanksgiving.

A question we might ponder: When are we pointing out to our children God’s beauty all around and within them?

He lived his life in service of others. Saint Nicholas traveled the countryside helping the sick and poor. For example, he gave dowries to a family on the brink of selling their three daughters into prostitution.

A question we might ponder: How might we model for children the use our lives and resources to help those marginalized in our communities?

He was fueled by his faith. Saint Nicholas’s relationship with God energized him. As a result, he was filled with love and stamina to bring God’s healing into places of fear and pain.

A question we might ponder: What practices are we teaching our children that help them connect to God?

He lived with generosity. Saint Nicholas gave away all his inherited wealth to help others. His acts of generosity can inspire us to give freely.

A question we might ponder: How are we inviting our children to live generously through giving to others?

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However you handle the Santa story, have fun imagining ways to infuse your celebration of Saint Nick with the richness of this amazing monk’s life.

All of us at ICM hope your Christmas is infused with beauty that inspires you and yours to live in the abundance of God’s wonder, celebrating the birth of Christ, and those whose lives have told the story of Jesus’ legacy.

And, in the comments below, don’t forget to tell us how you talk with children in your life about Saint Nicholas!

Astoundingly Simple Tips for Your Best-Ever Backpack Blessing

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Holding a backpack blessing during worship is a great way to encourage students preparing for the new school year.

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What’s a Backpack Blessing?

A backpack blessing is a moment set aside during your worship service to encourage students. Doing so celebrates with the excited, and soothes the anxious. No matter the age or how a student is feeling about the upcoming school year, a backpack blessing is a valuable ritual within a faith family.

Students bring their backpack with them to church on an assigned morning. Then, if the worship space is conducive, they head up front with their bag and receive a blessing. Often, students receive a tag to put on their backpack that reminds them of this special blessing.

Are you doing a backpack blessing at your church? We’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments down below.

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Why Do a Backpack Blessing?

Lots of feelings surround the start of a new school year. Some students are over the moon. Others are made nauseous by the thought of a new teacher, class, maybe even a new school. That was me. The thought of school starting would cause my stomach to turn immediately. And some kids don’t care all that much one way or another.

No matter where a kid is on that emotional continuum, ritual offers something for everyone. When we gather to reflect on such a moment of time, we find comfort, grounding and a sense of added significance.

Also, a chapter’s beginning is an important time to recognize God’s faithfulness and care. God walks with us always and sends the Holy Spirit to strengthen and equip us for all the steps we take in life. Don’t worry….God’s Got Your Back! 🙂

Seizing opportunities to highlight this informs our children’s and youth’s faith journeys.

Additionally, we highlight for students what a blessing education and access to it is. Gratitude is the basis for joy, so we offer our young ones a gift when we teach them to search for God’s provision.

Not only that, but we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Take the time to dream about how they might be a blessing in their school and community.

Searching for something concrete? Invest in girls’ education through The Revolutionary Underground Foundation, an organization and girls’ school started in 2006. Their mission is to provide girls and young women in Africa access to learning resources and technology, leadership training and emotional support, focusing on empowering them to become vessels for change.

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Helpful Tips for Your Backpack Blessing

  • Place backpacks up front when students arrive. As a result, they won’t have an issue in getting out of their row to go down front for the blessing during the service.
  • Ask that the students arrive a few minutes early to go over what they and their parents can expect.
  • Have the students leave their backpacks up front after the blessing. Once the service is over, invite families to retrieve their children’s backpacks.
  • Take a photo of all the students with their backpacks to share on social media. Also, it makes a significant impact to mail a print of the picture to the students with a card of encouragement.
  • Communicate with parents who may need financial assistance for purchasing their children’s backpacks. Coordinate acquiring them before the blessing so their children have a backpack there.

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Variations on the Backpack Blessing

  • Include all those connected to the education system and parents in the blessing.
  • Invite students of all ages to participate, not only children and youth.
  • If students aren’t often present in worship, meet for a backpack blessing at their schools one morning the week classes begin.
  • Host an end of summer all-church cookout and incorporate the backpack blessing there.
  • Gift teachers, administrator, janitors, bus drivers, crossing guards, etc. with a pair of scissors decorated with a tag that reads: “You’re a Cut Above the Rest!”

We hope this post has been helpful and that your backpack blessing is a wonderful time to celebrate the coming season and God’s faithfulness within it. Don’t forget to share with us what you’re doing to welcome the school year in the comments below!

And of course, if you’re still looking for a fun and creative new backpack tag to use, be sure to check out our newest “God’s Got Your Back” backpack tag! We also have last year’s tag still available, which says, “Blessed to Be a Blessing” (available in both English and Spanish). You can order your backpack tags below, and also browse through some photos from folks in our community who have used our tags!

ORDER NOW

God’s Got Your Back

ORDER NOW

Blessed to Be a Blessing (available in Spanish as well)

Blessed to Be a Blessing (luggage tags)
Blessed to Be a Blessing (luggage tags)
Getting creative…
Blessed to Be a Blessing (luggage tags)
Blessed to Be a Blessing (luggage tags)
God’s Got Your Back (luggage tags)
Coloring a LOT of “God’s Got Your Back” backpack tags
God’s Got Your Back (luggage tags)

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