Advent
December 22, 2015

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people. –1 Samuel 2:26

Shouldn’t this scripture be our goal for every child? Don’t we want all children to grow up healthy and strong and in the favor with adults? Yet we live in a country were children are not of primary concern to either the people or the government of the people that represent us. Just look at poverty and children. Contrary to common myth the vast majority of children have parents who work at some point during a given year, around 90%*, but 28% of US children are recipients of some type of what we call public assistance*. Seventy percent of children are eligible for free or reduced participation in the school lunch program**. The school lunch program is the only food available for some of these children on a routine basis.

Hunger is just the tip of the iceberg. Public school systems are being underfinanced throughout our nation. Our failure to meet the most basic needs of children is considered by some to be a pipeline to prison***.

This Advent season, I invite all of us to take stock of the local state of all our children and consider whether they have equal opportunities to grow in stature and in favor with the people.

Prayer: Lord, help us grow in our knowledge of the status of the children in our hometowns and across the world for as the children go so goes our society. Amen.

*Kids Count Report from Annie E. Cassie Foundation see at http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data#USA/1/0

**http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program/

***http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/tsr/education-under-arrest/school-to-prison-pipeline-fact-sheet/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.