dd (4) falling asleep staring at Jesus with huge smile on her face

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

when she was born one of our neighbours gave us a Greek orthodox picture of Mary and Jesus. She adores it, keeps it by her bed, makes a big thing about Jesus at Christmas. Tonight she insisted that it be propped up so she could stare lovingly at it. I know she's only 4 but I really can't help wonder if this is sowing the seeds of religion in her. Do childhood feelings like this have an impact in later life? that sort of indefinable feeling of security and of love, for something so simple as a baby? Or is religious belief something that requires an adult leap of faith? The look on her face tonight just set me wondering...

My DD often says "I want to cuddle Jesus". Shes 2. DH and I are Christians and have started reading to her from her childrens' Bible every night, but I think the source of her obvious affection for Jesus goes deeper than that. Children can have beautiful faith - uncomplicated, honest and devoted. I personally remember being a Christian since I was about 5 years old.

Luke 18.15
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

I'm not Christian myself, but I do wonder if faith can grow in just the way you descibe...time will tell, I guess.

it is interesting isn't it. To really 'know' Jesus, she (or anyone) will have to read the Bible and 'meet' him IFYSWIM, but I know Jesus can touch people's hearts in very different ways, and perhaps this will draw her to Jesus as she gros to understand more. You DD sounds lovely, bless her.

How lovely.

I'm not terriby religious (CofE, obviously!) but took ds along to a Christmas carol service we'd been invited to and found myself telling him it was all about a very special baby who had been born a long time ago. Very moving, somehow.

I love it...it could have been some bear or funny that's famous just for a while....pretty special!!! Our 2 year old has a picture of Mary & Baby Jesus over her bed....and lately she's been asking wher Joseph is.....she's all about seeing babies and wanting to know where the mommy and daddy are.....

i asked her this morning why she liked it. she said she liked babies. but she didn't want a picture - coz that's not real. she wanted a photograph. I explained that that might not be possible, but she suggested that I put the photo of our friend's baby Elsie next to her bed...in fact why not all the baby photos we've got...