Raising Princes and Princesses

It is difficult to write this newsletter. Like many of you, I am deeply affected by the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

My heart ached for the innocent children who went to school that fatal morning. I could not imagine anyone killing a child who was only 6 or 7-year-old, let alone twenty kids. All of them were shot multiple times, and one was shot 11 times. I pained for the trauma that would affect the whole school, community and our nation for years to come.

How could Adam Lanza take the lives of so many, including that of his own mother? Everyone is trying to look for answers, but investigation will take months. What could his mother, Nancy Lanza, have done differently?

Whatever the mental status of Adam Lanza was, the Bible reminded us that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

I mourned with the victims' parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings, friends, teachers, and neighbors. It is hard to see anyone so vibrant, healthy and happy to have their life snatched away. When I heard the news, I immediately wanted to hug my son, his wife and their children. How about you?

But in the midst of darkness, there is light. Like many of you, I was grateful for the principal, psychologist, and teachers who gave their lives to protect children.

Did you find it hard to explain tragedy and evil to your child? It was difficult to go to school to face teasing, isolation, bullying, now kids are afraid of being shot to death. No wonder some kids wanted to take things into their own hands, like the sixth grade boy who brought a gun to school to protect his school.

Life is precious. Time is short. Do you think your child is too young to hear the Good News? Please don't wait!

Christmas is the perfect time to tell the story of how Jesus, the Son of God, came from Heaven to earth to save us! Read Luke 1-2 from the Bible with your children. You can decide on how many verses to go through, depending on their age. Everyone loves stories. Let them know how the first coming of Jesus was prophesized in the Old Testament. It was foretold:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

You could tell them more about Jesus from passages such as "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14)

In Chinese, the phrase "crisis" consists of the characters for danger (wei) and opportunirty (ji). Again, I pondered upon the question of how to "Train up a child in the way he should go..." (Proverbs 22:6). I thought about parents who told me all they wanted was for their children to be healthy and happy, but somehow ended up pushing them for success in this world.

If you were one of them, stop and think. How do you define success in life? Consider the following quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; this is to have succeeded."

Ultimately, only God can provide for and protect our children. During this holiday, don't forget to share with your child that Jesus Christ is the reason for this season. Our children need to know that while there is darkness in this world, there is also light. There is peace in Christ as promised by the Prince of Peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

Do you want to raise princes and princesses?

There is only one way -- "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Want to reprint this article? No problem! Just make sure you include a complete attribution and, whenever possible, a live link to our website. Please notify Winnis where and when the material will appear. The attribution should include this information:

Winnis Chiang, founder of ParentingABC.com, is a relationship coach and licensed marriage & family therapist. She specializes in helping Mandarin and Cantonese speaking high-tech Christian parents to get along with, enjoy, equip and influence their American born Chinese children.