The last couple of times I have been to a normal church they have had communion. I grew up in the era when kids weren’t allowed to take it because” well” I’m not sure entirely why, but I think it was something to do with the fact that it was ‘important’ and we were just kids”

It was important to be quiet and sombre and only men dressed in suits and ties were allowed to serve it. Kids and communion just didn’t go together.

What would Jesus say to that?…

Perhaps this has been one of my theological shifts in the last 10 years, but now every time communion comes round I encourage my children to take it if they want to. (Fatboy was preoccupied with his toys last Sunday so we didn’t push it on him.) As they do this we speak with them about what the bread symbolises and what the wine (or blackcurrant juice) is all about.

Given that kids learn thru more solid means it is a great way of helping them reflect on the story of Jesus and remember the death of Christ.

Do they really get the significance of the cross?

I don’t know. Maybe they get it in ways that we adults have long forgotten. Maybe its potency affects their little hearts in ways we have become immune to.

They probably can’t articulate 5 theories of the atonement, but they keep telling me they love Jesus and that he died for their sins, so I reckon they must have a few clues.