One morning at breakfast, my daughter asked me why God was wearing Abe Lincoln's hat. I told her that first of all it is Jesus, not God (not really feeling like discussing the doctrine of the Trinity with a six year-old at 9 am). I also told her that it only looked like Jesus was wearing Abe's hat because of where she was in relation to where Abe and Jesus were, and because Abe's hat was taller than Jesus, and Jesus was in front of Abe. So, later on this evening, I was sitting on the couch and noticed that Jesus actually IS wearing Abe's hat. Could it be a miracle? Maybe Jesus felt like he was in need of a 19th century fashion update. Clearly I'd rather not entertain the more likely scenario.
At any rate, all of this got me thinking about religion and my children. I really think they need to go to Vacation Bible school this summer. I think that they should know the basics of Christianity, whether they choose to buy it or not. My children should definitely know who Jesus is (was?). And, not in the, "Do you know Jesus?" or "Have you heard about Jesus?" or "What has Jesus done in your life?" way. But, the historical Jesus. They should at least recognize him (or Him?) and know the stories. Christianity is a dominant, or probably THE dominant part of Western culture whether we realize it or not, go to church or not, buy into it or not. At the very least, we should know the background and all of the events good or bad that have happened in his (His?) name until the present day.
