The Best Christmas Present A Parent Can Give

Parenting is one of the most challenging jobs a person could undertake. Most Christian parents are aware of the verse in Proverbs, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6).

Noah and his wife must have been five-star parents. They raised their children in an age so wicked that God had pronounced judgment on everyone. Society considered Noah crazy – building a humongous boat on dry land and preaching that God would create a flood that would float the ark. It was unbelievable.

Noah walked with God, and he found grace in God’s eyes. (Genesis 6:8,9) Imagine if you were one of Noah’s sons when Noah started building the ark. Everyone said your dad was insane. They encouraged you to leave home and escape the stupidity that characterized your dad. It might have tempted you and your brothers to forsake your dad and build your own life elsewhere.

But you and your brothers didn’t. Why? Noah was a man of God who lived what he believed at home and in public. You admired his honesty and godly life and were immensely grateful for the love he showed you. He was different from everyone else you knew. You and your brothers were so motivated by his life and example that nothing could dissuade you from partnering with your dad in building the ark. You believed so strongly that, when courting, you and your brothers convinced your prospective brides of the truth of Noah’s message, and they trusted Noah’s God. Then, they joined in helping to build the ark.

What a dad and what a mom! And what a testimony of their character when Noah’s sons and wives remained faithful through all the mockery and ostracization.

There are other Scriptural examples of good parenting. Abraham and Sara gave birth to Isaac, and the writer of Hebrews included all three as heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.

Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 2:1-3; 6:20), the parents of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, are highlighted in Hebrews 11:23 as a man and woman of faith.

Hannah and Elkanah were Samuel’s godly parents. (1 Samuel 1 and 2)

Zechariah and Elizabeth were godly parents of faith who gave birth to and trained John the Baptist. (Luke 1).

Mary was the virgin mother of Jesus, God in the flesh. Mary and Joseph were the parents of Jesus’ four half-brothers and half-sisters. The brothers were named, but the sisters were not numbered or named in Scripture. (Matthew 13:55-56). Jesus’ half-brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5), but after Jesus’ resurrection, they became believers and were part of the early church in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:14). His half-brother, James, was converted after the resurrection when he met personally with Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:7). Later, he became a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15 and Galatians 1:19; 2:9) and wrote the book of James.

Eunice was the godly mother, and Lois was the godly grandmother who raised Timothy. (2Timothy 1:5).

But some godly leaders had ungodly children: Samuel’s two sons (1 Samuel 8:1-3); Jehoshaphat, a godly king, was the father of Jehoram, a wicked king (2 Chronicles 20 and 21); Hezekiah was a godly king succeeded by his evil son Manasseh, (2 Chronicles 29-33); Josiah, a godly king preceded two of his wicked sons Jehoahaz and then Eliakim. (2  Chronicles 36).

In light of these disappointed parents, how do we interpret Proverbs 22:6? “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Here is a quote from gotquestions.org that summarizes the interpretation of this verse:

“Does this verse promise that raising children in a godly manner will always result in children who follow God as adults? What about all the godly parents whose children rebel?

Proverbs, as a literary form, are not direct promises; instead, they are general observations of life that are typically true. Understanding this as a literary form explains why some parents faithfully raise their children to follow God, yet the child rebels against God as an adult.

Proverbs 22:6 teaches that it is generally true that a child raised to love God will continue to do so as a grown-up. This was the observation of life from 3,000 years ago, and it continues to prove itself today. Most Christian parents who raise their kids in a godly manner will leave a legacy of children who love God as adults. Bringing up a child in “the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) dramatically increases the likelihood that the child will hold to Christ in later life.”

The Bible gives some general principles about godly parenting that, if followed, can produce godly children.

Set a godly example. “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:” (1 Thessalonians 2:10)

Show your faith by your actions. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18).

Show God’s pattern of love toward your children. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” (Psalm 103:13).

Demonstrate Humility and Service to your children. “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” (Matthew 20:26-27). As your children see you demonstrate humility and service to your family and others, your children are likely to pick up this trait in their lives.

Teach your children: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine  house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Sunday School, church, and a Christian school are great aids, but the primary responsibility rests on the parents.

The father must participate. “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians  6:4). Do not put the sole burden on your wife to teach the children.

So – – – what is the best present you can give your children at Christmas? Yourself. Your time, your effort, your patience, your love. Giving yourself to them is a much better present and much more impactful than any toy, clothing, or game you might share.

Christmas is the season for giving. Give yourself!