Kids don't have a pecking order. They just embrace one another.

​Today, Goff talks about the kids' table at the holiday celebrations. How things often seem to be a little less stressful with the kids than with the adults. Goff suggests that if Jesus showed up for one of our holiday celebrations, he'd probably sit with the kids.

In the bible, Jesus' disciples once asked him, who is the greatest in heaven? And this is how Jesus responded (Matthew 18:1-5).

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

Have you ever noticed what happens a lot at the kids' table. The kids don't have much of a pecking order. They just embrace one another in the name of fun. They aren't much concerned what others think of them. They aren't much in to conversations about who has harmed who in the world or in the family. They simply see each other as an opportunity to enjoy life.

I often hear people say - I hate to see kids grow up and lose their innocence, as if we who say that have no role in that process. It's not like adults are required to focus on the things that deny us the chance to value one another. We choose to. Innocence is lost as children adopt ideals that devalue connection with one another and overvalue belief systems that support wedges and not embraces.

That is not a natural process, it's a learned and adopted one. One often picked up when kids move to the adult table.

When Jesus made this statement about the children, children weren't held in high regard. They were to be seen not heard. They were one of the least valued members of society. Yet, Jesus said, whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me.

At the kids table, kids more often than not welcome whoever sits there. So, based on Jesus' own words, I agree with Goff. I think Jesus would sit with them as well.

And probably ask for a second hot dog!