This week at Vacation Bible School, the kids (and adults) dress up as if they lived in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus' birth. I'm playing the part of the Roman Census Taker; I get to see each kid each night to teach them a bit about the Roman Empire at the time of Christ and then to ask them questions about their God and what all the ruckus is about shepherds and angels and stables. It's great to listen to them tell me that they can talk to God themselves - some have even offered to teach me how they pray - and that they don't need to offer food sacrifices to certain roman gods. As a pastor, I listen to them talk about their faith and feel such hope and joy in their prayers.

Each night, the kids and adults start with singing songs, many of them dressed in "Bible times" clothing we dragged out from the leftover Christmas pageant boxes. The kids circle up and follow the leader in hand motions and dancing as they sing.

The other night - actually our wedding anniversary - when Misha, Charis and Rebekah joined the festivities, Charis asked for her costume.

As a father, it's great to watch my older daughter get into the group's activities. She watches the older kids and slowly joins in with the hand motions. Her mouth moves as she tries to keep up with the lyrics (though all the next day, she sings over and over the few words she does remember!).


This is an important part of how faith is formed in kids. Of course, I'm not talking about the costumes, or even the songs. Early faith is formed by watching the rest of our "tribe" go through the motions of religion. Neither the motions nor the religion are what actually creates faith, but kids watch and will learn what they see. If they see others celebrating their faith and praising God, their world will be shaped around the reality that God loves them and is a part of their lives.