Devotion

Jesus Welcomes the Children

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." — Matthew 19:14 

In the time of Jesus, children were considered to be of little social importance. They were not seen as significant contributors to society, and in many ways they were overlooked by those in positions of power and influence. So when the disciples tried to turn the children away from Jesus — thinking they were bothering him or wasting his time — what happened next was nothing short of remarkable.

Jesus stopped. He noticed. He welcomed.

He embraced them, placed his hands on them, and declared that the kingdom of heaven belonged to people just like them. In that moment, Jesus turned the values of his world completely upside down.

This is one of the most beautiful symbols of who Jesus is. He is not a God who is too busy, too important, or too distracted for the young. He is a God who sees every child — their worth, their wonder, their faith — and says you matter, you belong, you are welcome here.

As a school community, this is a truth we carry into everything we do. Every child who walks through our gates is seen, known, and valued. Every name matters. Every story counts. We are called, just as Jesus modelled, to create a place where children are not an afterthought but the very heart of what we do.

May we never lose sight of that calling — to welcome, to nurture, and to champion every child in our care.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God who sees and loves every child. Thank you that Jesus made time for the little ones, that he stopped, knelt down, and welcomed them with open arms. What a beautiful picture of your heart.

We pray for every child in our school community. May they know, in the deepest part of who they are, that they are seen, they are loved, and they belong. Help us to build a community that reflects your kingdom, where every person is valued. Thank you for the privilege of doing life together as a school community. May everything we do point back to you.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings!

Will Wallace

Principal