Children in Church

                I’m not really sure if the theme of this blog is children or the power of music.  I suppose it’s about both.  As irreverent at this may sound, I love to spend my time in church watching children.  They remind me of the wonder of creation and how vulnerable and dependent we are as humans…that, and they present themselves exactly as they are at that

moment, without any false piety or Sunday game face.

                Since I spend most of my church time in the choir loft I see the backs of a lot of people (note to husband—your hairline is looking great for your age group!) which is good because I prefer being invisible in crowds.  One thing I see that others don’t is the upturned faces of all the babies and preschoolers held by their parents.  They face the back of the church and are fascinated by the goings on in the loft.  I remember feeling the same way when Dad held me in church 40+ years ago.   Sometimes if I make eye contact with the children, I’ll give them a little wave and a smile and they’ll giggle and tuck their heads down in shyness before peeking back at me.  I keep waiting for a reprimand from the priest (the only grown-up who can see me) since this sometimes happens during prayer.  I don’t feel guilty, though, because I think it’s so important for kids to feel welcome there.  I also believe in my heart of hearts that Jesus during his time on earth couldn’t resist making a child smile.

                Last Sunday I had a break from accompanying and sat with my family down below.  I love going to church with my family but I’m short so the view of the altar is not good.  Right in front of me was a baby, probably close to 12 months old.  Her dad was at her mercy, getting her a cracker, then a bottle, then playing a finger tapping game, then back to the cracker, and so on.  Occasionally she’d peek  back and giggle if I smiled at her.  She wasn’t too fussy and made cute babbling sounds.  She didn’t seem engaged in the service at all until the pianist began the last song.  At the rousing introduction to “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” her eyes and mouth opened into huge circles.  She shrieked with joy and started dancing right there in her daddy’s arms.  There was no doubt what caused her excitement—it was the thrill of the music. I’m glad I could be down below in the pews to witness that!