What
do I want for Christmas? I’m glad
you asked! I have a list - it’s
not long, but may involve some expense for some - no, for all of us… I want every teenager who could claim they
belong to Warragul Anglican Church to have their own Bible, in a version they
can easily read. I want each of
them to be able to explain what makes someone a Christian, versus another
faith. I want each of them to know in their bones that they belong to our
church family, and are wanted, known, respected, valued, and missed when they
aren’t there. I want each of them
to know that they have a ministry among us, not only to peers and children
younger than themselves, but to the whole church. I want every one of them to sense Jesus with them, moment by
moment, their Saviour, King and Friend. 
Which
is why I’m loving our Youth Bible Group on Sunday afternoons - it’s Christmas
every week, because I’m seeing our teens sharing their knowledge and questions
and concern for their school mates and hopes about life with each other, and
I’m seeing them grow in maturity and love and knowledge of God week by
week. It’s why I love spotting our
teens on the sound desk and in the music group and reading the Bible and
welcoming, and especially chatting with folk of every age over morning tea. And why I get a thrill when I hear
someone praying for our kids - and even more when I hear our kids praying.
I’m
really looking forward to the combined St Paul’s School and WAC Carols on 9th
December, because some of our teens are going to minister to us in music that
night. That same morning, we’re
going to celebrate as a few more young’uns graduate from Salt Club and take
their place among the adults on Sundays,
and I’m excited, because I’m looking forward
to hearing them lead us in prayer, challenge us to share our faith, show us the
way as they welcome people over a plate of biscuits, spur us on to give to
people in need, and step up to be the leaders of the next generation.
And
I’m bouncing in my chair as I look forward to Sunday 16th December,
when a couple of our teens plan to confirm that this faith we share is their
faith, before the Bishop and the whole church.
After
all this, unwrapping presents on the 25th could be a bit lame…!
