Building a Faith Village with Wise Men and Shepherds

This third week of Advent is focused on joy. The candle we light is the Shepherd’s candle. This week I’ve spent some time thinking about the shepherds and wise men and what I can learn about having Christian adults in the life of my children, a faith village.

Years ago I took a family ministry class in seminary. We learned the importance of youth having five Christian adults (other than their parents) in their lives. This helps the youth make their faith their own and continue to practice a meaningful faith in Jesus after graduating high school. 

At the time, I was a youth leader and ministry director. I was one of those 5 adults. But, now I am the mama praying for those five people to surround our children. Let’s use the shepherds and wise men to look at some characteristics we can pray for in the adults of our faith villages.

Shepherds and Building a Faith Village

Almost 5 years ago, our family was blessed with an incredible adult who quickly came to be a dear part of our family. She loves me well, but wow! The way she loves my daughters is everything that I have ever prayed for. She sees them. Encourages them. Prays for them and with them. She shares who she is. She shares who Jesus is. She even did weekly Bible studies with my oldest. 

This friend/auntie/our Ally, even lived with us for a couple of years. I don’t know who it was the bigger blessing for, but I think it was us. She moved yesterday and it broke a lot of hearts. We trust God and know that she is always a part of our family, but we are grieving. 

Yet, we still have joy and hope. We know God has big plans for her and plans for us. 

I am so grateful for the relationship our Ally has with my girls. And, as I reflected on the shepherds and our dearest friend, I saw some commonalities and things to pray for and seek for my girls.

• Their faith first – the shepherds and our Ally have an unwavering faith in God
• Learn to recognize Jesus – I want adults in my kids’ lives who can see Jesus, even in a newborn baby
• Willing to Talk About God – there are lots of adults who love God, but don’t necessarily talk about him with others. This is a highly desired trait I want for those adults my kids spend time with
• Came to visit – The shepherds didn’t just hear about Jesus, they wanted to see him. They made an effort to see him. Although our Ally has a full and abundant life, she always made time to see my girls, even if it was a quick hug on her way to work. 
• They saw and believed in the child’s potential – Jesus wasn’t what most Jews were expecting in the Savior, yet the shepherds believed what the angels told them and shared that. I want adults who see the potential in my kids (they are not the Savior, but God still has created them with purpose) and speak that truth to me, to my kids, and to the community. Ally does this so well. 

Wise Men and Building a Faith Village

Now I know, despite most nativity scene depictions, that the wise men were not at the birth of Jesus. And, Jesus was probably a toddler by the time the Magi visited him. But, we do include them in the Christmas season. Technically, they get the 12 days after Christmas that leads up to Epiphany. 

But, let’s look at their story and learn a little more about what we can pray and look for in adults as we build a faith village around our children and families.

• Visited – Like the shepherds, the magi made an effort to see Jesus and his family. I cannot overstate how impactful this one thing can be. Travel can be hard when we have little kids, notice those who are willing to come to your kiddos and their events.
• Rejoiced – The Magi were strangers and still “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2:10 ESV  Pray for people who love your children, not worship them, but who truly experience joy from them. 
• Gifts – The wise men brought really thoughtful gifts to Jesus. They maybe weren’t developmentally appropriate, but prophetically, wow! Spot on! As a mom of five, gifts from others can be overwhelming at times, but many children feel seen, loved, and known by a thoughtful gift. Something as small as a cake pop or something as extravagant as gold, can both communicate love.
• Protected – Finally, the wise men did a really clever job of protecting Jesus and his family. Your children may not have a king who wants to kill them, but there are always things in the world, whether it be unkind words, danger in a car, or even themselves, that we as parents could use some help in protecting our children from. This could be by keeping a car seat in their car, a pack-and-play at their house, or by praying. 

Our Ally is a rockstar in all of these things. You want these people for your kids and your family. It may not be one person who does all of them, but that is ok, too.

Be in Other’s Faith Villages

Finally, as we pray for these treasured adults for our kids, let’s pray that God would allow us to be these loving mentors in other families, as well. Then together with other Christian families, we can circle around our children for the sake of the Kingdom.

Find Your Faith Village

So, like Mary, I will treasure these things in my heart and I encourage you to pray for and find those adults who will see, love, disciple, and maybe even spoil a little your children from an overflow of their faith.