Joy In Relationships Series

Intro: Life is Full of Joyful Interruptions

This morning feels a little different — in the best possible way.

We're in the middle of our series called “Enjoy Life”, and today we get to celebrate something that brings joy to life in a

• very real,

• very wriggly,

• very wide-eyed way:

? the gift of a new child.

Now, if you’ve ever had a baby in the house — or even babysat one for an hour — you’ll know that “joy” isn’t the only thing they bring.

They also bring

noise,

mystery stains, and

a distinct lack of sleep.

One parent said, “Having a newborn is like trying to look after a blender… with no lid… while someone keeps randomly turning it on.” -

And yet — joy remains.

Because in all the chaos and nappies and night feeds,

there’s something miraculous and grounding about new life.

Something that pulls us back to what really matters.

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🧒 Children Help Us Rediscover Wonder

Jesus once said in John 10:10,

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

And part of what that means — life to the full — is about rediscovering joy, - especially in the ordinary.

Children are experts at this.

They don’t care if it’s raining.

In fact, that’s when they want to go outside!

They can find joy in a cardboard box, a muddy puddle, or a ladybird.

They live fully in the present moment

— without worrying about the time, the to-do list, or . . . what people think.

You and I might call it “being easily distracted.”

Jesus calls it “something we can learn from.”

In Mark 10:13–16, we see a beautiful little moment in Jesus’ ministry:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to give them His blessing, but the disciples acted like bouncers at a nightclub and rebuked them.

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

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💡 What’s So Special About Children?

Now, let’s be honest: children weren’t particularly valued in society back then.

They didn’t have status or influence.

So when the disciples tried to shoo them away, they thought they were being helpful.

“Let’s protect Jesus from the distraction of kids. He’s got teaching to give to the crowds!”

But Jesus doesn’t just allow the children in — He actually uses them as an example of what real faith looks like.

Why?

Because children know how to receive.

• They don’t come with their CV.

• They’re not trying to impress or earn approval.

• They come

o open-handed,

o wide-eyed, and

o ready to be loved.

And that’s exactly how we’re invited to come to God.

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👶 A Baby Changes Everything

So today, as we give thanks for [ ], we’re reminded of something deep:

New life changes everything.

• It interrupts routines.

• It creates new patterns.

• It demands our attention.

(And sometimes, at 3am, it tests patience, right?)

But

o it also opens our hearts.

o It makes us re-evaluate what really matters.

o It softens the hard edges in us.

A baby can bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise cross paths.

Family members, neighbours, even long-lost friends suddenly appear with a gift and a story about how they once held you when you were “this big.”

And in a strange and beautiful way, that’s part of what church is meant to be too —

a place where people who might not normally gather… do.

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🏡 Church as Extended Family

At its best, the church is an extended family.

We’re not

o a club or

o a performance venue or

o a Sunday ritual

— we’re a community of people learning to live out the love, care and compassion of Jesus, together.

• Sometimes messily.

• Sometimes with crying.

• Sometimes with biscuits.

And like any good family, we celebrate new life.

Not just biologically, but spiritually.

Because God is always doing something new —

o in hearts,

o in homes,

o in lives that open themselves to Him.

That’s part of what today’s thanksgiving is about.

We’re not just asking for a blessing on one child.

We’re all committing to be part of that blessing to them.

• To cheer them on.

• To be a safe, joyful place to come when they need it

• To know that they are loved when they don’t feel it.

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