A powerful prophetic vision is conveyed in these words from the Bible: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
The “little child” is associated with the advent of Christ, the expected Messiah, which was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. The Messiah, with his childlike nature, would reign, lead, and establish peace, as Isaiah symbolized by the harmonious relations between animals that would normally prey on or be preyed upon by each other. His prophetic vision depicts the disposition and character of the Messiah, which includes peacefulness, love, humility, meekness, receptivity, and trust in God—qualities seen in Jesus’ example and teachings.
Christ Jesus gave a list of what we need to do too, in order to be “peacemakers . . . called the children of God” (see Matthew 5). This includes loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us.
The master Christian brought peace by healing, transforming, and regenerating humanity through his unwavering, childlike trust in the power of God, evident in his raising of Lazarus from the dead, for example. Setting a little child in the midst of the disciples, Jesus taught them that true greatness lies in humble, childlike receptivity—the willingness to put aside one’s preconceived notions and adopt a higher, more spiritual view of life, which enables one to enter God’s kingdom.
Mary Baker Eddy, an avid student and follower of Jesus, saw this childlike disposition as an unparalleled model for all humanity. She perceived that a receptivity and willingness to learn were vital to understanding God, and man’s indestructible relation to Him as His beloved spiritual offspring. She writes in the Christian Science textbook: “Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 236), and, “Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea” (pp. 323–324).
Mrs. Eddy saw something very special in children—their natural receptivity to the healing ideas of Christian Science. This point was made by Mrs. Eddy as she recalled an experience healing the infant daughter of a Mrs. Smith in Rumney, New Hampshire: “They become good healers sooner than do adults, for they are nearer the kingdom of heaven. . . . It is the children’s native element; in it they revel in the liberty of health and divine Love” (Footprints Fadeless, p. 6, 1902; A10402; The Mary Baker Eddy Collection). Mrs. Eddy saw so clearly that little children naturally embrace the Christ, Truth, which enables them to experience the kingdom of heaven—God’s presence and healing power in their lives.
True greatness lies in humble, childlike receptivity.
Mrs. Eddy’s own childlike disposition enabled her to overcome all kinds of challenges throughout her life. She maintained a childlike receptivity to God, which inspired and spiritualized her thought.
When I was serving on active duty in the United States Navy, a challenging situation demanded such childlike trust in God. I was awaiting orders for my next assignment, normally given about six months out, but month after month went by with no word. I trusted that God’s plan for my wife and me was in place, and that I would be directed in accordance with the divine will. It helped me to know that God was my true Detailer (the title of the officer who distributes the orders), and guiding my career. That when it appeared that things were at a standstill, right activity was actually going on. I held firmly to this in prayer and felt a strong sense of peace and calm, which gave me needed patience.
A couple of months before I was due to detach, the detailer gave me a duty station in North Carolina as one of my options. This option wasn’t one that caught my interest, as I had already been assigned there in the past. However, I went to God in prayer, listening humbly and trusting that I would be guided. One day while walking alone on the bow of my ship and praying, I had a surprising intuition—something like: “Go to North Carolina; you will be greatly blessed.” It was clearly divine intuition. We did go to North Carolina and we were greatly blessed. I’ve found it behooves me to follow Jesus’ example and express childlike trust as much as possible every day. This prepares me more effectively for any demands that may come along.
It is important to keep in mind that childlike qualities are an inherent part of who we truly are as God’s spiritual offspring. During this holy Christmas season, while we joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus, we can also rejoice in the advent of man’s childlike disposition, so fully realized in the character of Jesus. And, as we strive to express this childlikeness, seen in humility, meekness, and love, we can expect our hearts to be receptive to the Christ, Truth, and for us to experience the promise of these words from a familiar hymn:
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meekness will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.
(Phillips Brooks, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 222)
