A devotional work for young children centered on the figure of Jesus Christ and His welcoming of children into His presence. Drawing from the Gospel account in which Jesus rebukes His disciples for turning away mothers and their children, the work uses this scene as its foundational image: mothers bringing their young ones to Jesus, who receives them warmly, holds them in His arms, and blesses them. The work speaks directly and simply to its child audience, explaining that Jesus loves children deeply and wishes them to come to Him freely. It reassures young readers that Jesus is not distant or unapproachable but present in spirit, watching over them, caring about their happiness, saddened by their wrongdoing, and glad when they behave well. He is portrayed as a constant, loving companion who can be spoken to at any moment and who hears instantly. The nature and significance of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is explained in gentle, accessible terms, using the analogy of a brother offering to take punishment in place of the one who committed a wrong. Children are told that Jesus bore the punishment for the sins of all people, so that anyone who trusts Him and comes to Him may be forgiven and ultimately dwell with Him and God the Father in heaven. The love of Jesus is further compared to the love of a mother who holds out her arms to a child who has been naughty and is sorry, wiping away tears, offering forgiveness, and moving forward without dwelling on the fault. This domestic and tender comparison is meant to make divine love comprehensible and emotionally resonant for very young readers. Children are encouraged to walk with Jesus throughout their daily lives, to bring every trouble and difficulty to Him, and to seek His help in all things. Though He cannot be seen with physical eyes, His presence is described as constant and immediate. The work closes its opening section with a short hymn addressed to Jesus, asking Him to look upon a little child with pity and gentleness, to grant the child access to His presence, and to give that child a place within His kingdom. The tone throughout is nurturing, intimate, and reassuring, aimed at cultivating in young children a personal and heartfelt relationship with Jesus from the earliest age.
By Catharine Shaw · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller