Within healthy limits, I don't believe it's wrong or immoral for young children to have childish fantasies, dreams and imaginations. But, at Christmas time, I do believe it's important to direct my ten year old son's focus on the truth and reality of Jesus' birth, especially in a time when secular culture seems to be conditioning society towards greed, selfishness and unaccountability - not to mention the secularism and commercialism of the holiday itself.
Like many Christian parents, I want my son to learn gratitude, charity, compassion, unselfishness, accountability, etc. - all the virtues of Godly character.
Recently, I took Jordan with me to visit a local nursing home. We sang some gospel songs and Christmas songs to some very precious elderly people there. We gave them Christmas gifts and stayed to visit with many of them for a while after our mini-concert.
Jordan loved every minute of it. He enjoyed "entertaining" them with his songs and his own brand of "comedy." And afterwards, he listened to their stories with great fascination. And I was so proud to see him pouring out so much love to each one he visited, as if they were his own family - he didn't meet one stranger.
Jordan learned of the nursing home's "Adopt A Grandparent" program and later told me he wanted to participate and visit the nursing home on a regular basis. So, now, we have a new "extended family."
After our nursing home visit that day, we headed to a nearby church for a special Christmas concert that evening to benefit "Toys For Tots," an event in which Jordan also participated.
As Jordan chatted with me about the events of the day, another opportunity was given for me to explain more and emphasize to him another factor of the true meaning of Christmas, and why it's so important.
Christmas has a genuine, eternal purpose. God gave our lives meaning and purpose through His son, Jesus Christ.
Santa wouldn't even have a job if Jesus hadn't arrived.
Jordan and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous new year!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
9 comments:
Jordan is a very special young man... Thank you for sharing that with us, and I know that he will be a tremendous blessing to his "Nursing Home" family... May you both have a wonderful, joyous and fun filled Christmas... I, too, want to say, Happy Birthday Jesus Cha
i guess thats why i like and appreciate you so much. of course i love to hear you sing. but you stand on what you believe in and you are teaching jordan in the right direction to go in. to love older people is so important. now days theres no respect for kids and older people even in churches. the parents doesnt teach them right from wrong. i saw a shirt and it read on it "liberals are going to get us either coming or going" how true this is by abortions or euthanasium. (spell it) lol. but i know you got the picture. MERRY CHRISTMAS JOHN, JORDAN AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, BARBARA
John,
Just wanted to wish u and Jordan a very Merry Christmas and an early Happy Birthday. God Bless You All. Shirley Fortune
Hi Brother John....just wanted to "pop" in and say how much I do enjoy your ministry. I am Penny and visit pretty much all your Lagrange (or nearby) concerts...I recently heard you at Brother Jody's Church and then that night at Sister Tina's Church. And again recently at the "toys for tots" in Hogansville Ga. Keep up the good work and that was the first time I met Jordan, he is a fine looking young man. Merry CHRISTmas and Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year....~~penny~~♥
I hope you and Jordan -- and the whole rest of your family -- had a wonderful CHRISTmas day!
GOD bless you always.....
Kim
Hey Bro. John,
We really enjoyed the Toys For Tots concert at Life Church. We will continue to pray you and your ministry.
God bless you and Jordan
Hope You Christmas was a great one and you and your family have a blessed and prosporus New Year.
Wanda
You are training up that boy in the way he should go, John! Wish ya'll could come to the nursing home where my dad is at. I know those folks would love ya'll!!! It takes a special person to handle older people. It is a very special calling. God Bless you and Jordon!!!! Shirley C.
I think it is wonderful for the younger people to interact with the elderly residents in nursing homes. Young people can learn a lot from them, and it helps the elderly too. They love it, and it makes them laugh, and laughter is good for the soul. Some of them get very little attention, and it means so much to them for young people to take time to talk to them and listen to them. God bless Jordan for the attention he gives to these residents.
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