My grandson has a job he takes very seriously. During Advent, every time he has visited us he has made a beeline for the Christmas tree and turned on the lights.

That there are presents under the tree with his name on them hasn’t sunk in. For him, Christmas isn’t about what he will get as much as it is about story, sights, sounds and tastes. Every day brings with it a new revelation.

Children experience Christmas differently from us jaded adults. Yes, they want presents, but they aren’t caught up in the commercialism of the season. At least the younger ones aren’t.

What’s more, they get the wonder of that first Chistmas. The idea of a baby born to be king intrigues them. Especially one born in a stable. They relate to the little child, even if they don’t understand the theology.

We adults have difficulty grasping the idea of God becoming flesh. To a child, discovering the world, this is just another wonder to be accepted. They are more open to letting God be God and not trying to box him in.

Maybe that is something we should all try this Christmas Eve. May you see the wonder of the birth of Jesus, with the eyes of a child .