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Many people worry about bringing little children to church, feeling it will be "easier" when they are older. The concern about little ones' ability to sit quietly in the pews or fear that they will make too much noise often enters parents' minds. While some choose to bring their children to church as their youngsters mature, others may find it is too late as kids soon get used to sleeping in on Sunday mornings or like to stay in their pajamas and watch cartoons or videos, while moms and dads quickly become accustomed to enjoying the extra rest.

Can you guess where I fall on this issue of when to bring one's children to church? I believe the sooner the better. From the time our sons and daughters are quite little, they drink in the sights and sounds around them. They begin to observe and question.

I remember fielding such questions when my three were little. "Why is that cross above the altar?" or "What is communion?" or even the really hard questions like, "Mom, what is the Trinity?" Try explaining that to a 2-year-old sometime!

The church experience needs to become a part of a child's life as soon as possible. Parents may want to arrive early to explore the sanctuary, point out things like the cross or the altar, worship hymnals or any number of things. In doing so our boys and girls will come to understand and accept this vital part of a Christian's life. Parents who are uncertain how to answer specific questions may wish to arrange a meeting with the pastor to help their family better understand things they see or do or profess to in their church home.

Children can also become involved in Christian education programs as they get a little older. Other programs may be available for the kids, like cherub or children's choirs or nursery class.

Now, I know what it is like to it in a pew and sometimes feel it is like wrestling to keep a tiny one occupied during services. I know what it is like to feel like it might have been easier to just have stayed home.

Yet, Sunday after Sunday, we plodded along and went back to church and soon I became amazed the little things my children were learning and taking into their hearts. I truly believe that these early experiences helped to lay the foundation upon which their now mature faith is built.

By being in church, whether playing with a soft and quiet toy or munching on Cheerios, coloring a picture or even sometimes acting up, my kids and so many like them, were sponging up what was going on around them. They were listening, thinking, questioning and learning about Christianity and the Lord and Savior.

I have always found myself blessed with congregations that have warmly welcomed and embraced little ones, from newborn on up. I have never been met with stares when my kids made a loud noise or needed to go to the restroom; for that I will always be grateful.

I hope all Christian communities can foster such a welcoming attitude toward their youngest members and visitors.

Remember when the disciples tried to send the children away so Jesus would not be bothered by them? Jesus told them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them…"

All these boys and girls need is parents to bring them to His house.

Ann Thomas Rinker has lived in Mount Airy for more than 20 years and has written for The Gazette for most of that time. If you would like to respond to her column, e-mail her at atrinker@verizon.net.