20 May 2026

One day, we had a special service in the church for children, parents and grandparents in the Playgroup and Mother and Toddler Groups. During the service, I showed the children five, big, differently-coloured stars. Someone was shining on each one – Bob, the builder was the favourite but Jesus was the best of all!

Some children were invited to hold up the stars. After the address, I collected them up. One toddler strayed onto the chancel and appealed to me with his eyes for the chance to hold one of the stars. I gave him the blue one.

For the rest of the service, he walked around the chancel holding the big, blue star and waving it backwards and forwards with rare delight. At one point, he stuffed a corner of the star into his mouth.

It was obvious to me that the shining star had spoken to him more clearly than anything I could ever have said. So much so that he was loving the star to death. It was very moving to see our symbol of Christ’s light enjoyed so much!