Let's bring back Children's Day

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Pastor Charlie Chilton's Thought for the week column: For love of the children

Date published: 7/19/2008

IT SUDDENLY dawned on me: I have heard nothing about celebrating "Children's Day" for many years.

We have had Mother's Day and Father's Day, but I have not seen anything about honoring children.

I went online and found a group decrying the loss of Children's Day and asking that all people join on June 14, 2009 to celebrate National Children's Day.

There is even a Commitment Card that reads: "As a parent/guardian, I will commit myself in the coming year, to love, cherish, nurture (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs) and affirm _____________(insert child's name)."

Maybe your church would want to check out the National Children's Day Web site.

Maybe in our busyness to succeed on so many fronts we forgot to care for the children. We just turned them over to the television (aka "babysitter") or some nonrelated person. They became victims of sexual predators, abusive parents, manipulative clergy and a host of other sick people.

We became so preoccupied that we forgot the simplest command that Jesus gave: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14).

Our consumer culture has confused the meaning of "loving" the children. It does not mean "spoiling." Giving a child of any age an abundance of toys--whether big or small--is not a substitute for giving yourself.

Children can survive and prosper without toys but not without love. Mark 10:16 is the Jesus example: "He took the children in his arms and put his hands on them and blessed them."

Children are the most vulnerable people in any society. We must not take them for granted. Nor must we push them into competitive activities at an early age.

We must allow the children time to be children! Let's get June 14, 2009 on our personal and church calendars now and reclaim this emphasis!

PRAYER: Dear God, we get our priorities so mixed up. Forgive us for neglecting the children. Help all of us to take our nation's children as a special trust from You. Amen.

Charlie Chilton is a retired Baptist minister, missionary, author and Stafford County native who resides in Orange County. He may be e-mailed at
Email: cacfwc@gmail.com.

Date published: 7/19/2008