Author Ben Harris shares some thoughts on how to bring the Christmas story to life this Christmas

How do we share the gospel in a relevant way? How do we ensure that all ages will engage with what we’re saying? Ben Harris offers some advice about how we can do this by using the example of writing his new children’s book The Christmas Swallow.

The prominent place of children 

There were a number of things, we’re told, that made Jesus really mad. One of the most eye-catching examples was the outer courtyard of the temple in Jerusalem being given over to profiteering. Jesus’ indignant reaction is described in all four Gospels, and he in turn provoked strong reactions from those who saw him upend the traders’ stalls and scatter their money across the ground. But it is only Matthew (chapter 21 verse 15) who describes the reaction of the young children present. Unselfconsciously living out Psalm 8:2, they started to cheer: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 

So although they might not have been the Gospel writers’ primary audience, we have a clear suggestion here of a precedent for children and infants having genuine insight and making spiritual discoveries of their own. Jesus himself appears to encourage as… (Register to read the rest of the article)