an elf and some kids

Will Ferrell deserves an Oscar, an MTV Movie Award, or at least some kind of nomination. His work as Buddy the Elf truly brings the spirit of Christmas alive. The exuberance in his face just talking about the North Pole; his elation and enjoyment of snowflakes, Christmas trees and candy; and not to mention his genuine desire for all to know the joys of true Christmas spirit. These make Buddy the Elf an example to us all, and Elf an instant holiday classic.

But there was something more in Buddy’s face. Despite his exclusion from the North Pole and his dad’s cold shoulder, he never ceased to, as his younger brother says, “care about everyone.” I’ve been contemplating the simple question that my brother posed to me a couple of nights ago. One I’ve thought on before, but never really considered how it affected my life directly…

What does it mean to have faith like a child?

Jesus speaks of children in direct association with inheriting God’s kingdom. I would like to be a part of that, so how do I seek to understand my inner child?

For now, my working attempt to define child-like faith is “a wholly uncorrupted desire for God the Father.” And it is through this lifestyle that individuals become less that God may be made greater among them. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Wholly: When a child plays, he engages all of himself – beginning in the imagination, the eyes and feet and hands enjoy every aspect of play. When he’s upset, he throws his entire body of the floor, sobbing and screaming. There is a totality, or “wholeness,” to his actions.

Uncorrupted: The thoughts of a child flow in a wholesome manner. Though in many ways the sin nature creeps in very early, the mind of a child thinks about what is best for him. The inherent purity of a child is lost very early in each of our lives. Getting as much back as possible is a worthy endeavor.

Desire: Children seem to know what they want, even if they don’t exactly know how to go about gettingit. From food to a toy to attention, their desire overwhelms them at times. They focus on the object of their affection so intensely that it overshadows everything else that may be in the way.

Abba: Daddy. Jesus calls to Abba. In a world crying for release from pain, the strong, loving, warm arms of a father make even hearts of stone melt into hearts of flesh. Daddy is our comfort and shelter. Daddy is the lover of our souls.

Child-like attributes that stand out to me (please add your own)…
- simplistic
- forever learning
- joyful/ enjoy the moment
- submissive (humble)
- honest
- imaginative

One of the greatest challenges children give us is a perspective shift. Children breathe air deeper and take life slower, and many times we can’t even seem to slow down enough to take a deep breath. May we see the world with new eyes, eyes of children that allow us to walk in the Way that builds the Kingdom of God.

Mr. Ferrell, thanks for the reminder to point others to something bigger and greater than ourselves.