One recent morning I was sipping a cup of tea and walking past the door to our preschool when I overheard a brief exchange between a mom and her son as she was dropping him off at the room.  

Mom: "Who's in your heart?"

Son: "God."

Mom: "Okay, let's keep it that way."

 I almost spit out my tea as I tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle my laughter.  I waited nearby for the mom to complete her exit as she kissed her son good-by and turned to walk away. 

"I'm sorry," I said, "but I have to know the story behind the directive you just gave your son."   

She smiled and explained that when her son made a mistake or did something wrong, he had begun saying   Jesus was no longer in his heart.   Jesus had gone away.  She was trying to help him realize   Jesus did not come and go with his mistakes or sins, but, in fact, would never leave him.   

"Great lesson," I said. 

It is a great lesson.  It is a great lesson not just because we all need to learn it, but because it is the greatest truth, the greatest event, the greatest story about the greatest act of mercy and grace ever bestowed by our great God.  God is with us.  God has come to us through Jesus.  Not only are our sins forgiven and our salvation secure, but God is with us.  Emmanuel.

It is with this perspective, knowing God is with us, that we want our children to learn how to do life.  This truth transforms our motivations, our ambitions, our successes, and our failures, our relationships, and our identity.  God is with us.  Because this is true, all of us, including our children, can face life with confidence, humility, and hope. 

On behalf of the faculty and staff of CFS, I want to wish you a very, merry Christmas.  During this season and every day, may you know the joy and experience the presence of the God who is with us.  And together, let's keep it that way.