Download a pdf designed version of this Children's Day 2025 message here.
Every year, the first Sunday in March marks Children’s Day, a time for intentionally celebrating and cherishing our tamariki.
When I reflect on the nature of children, I see the image of God expressed in joy, wonder and curiosity. I see excitement, energy and authenticity. All these characteristics, wrapped up in a small human capable of creating chaos, noise and delight wherever they go. They are a gift, a taonga, that we must cherish and nurture.
As the people of God, we are called to have a child-like faith. To find joy in the most unexpected places, and to be filled with wonder at the glory of God. To have a child-like faith also means to be curious-to ask questions and ponder over things that we may not have thought important to pay attention to. To be excited and delighted in our worship to God, and authentic in the outliving of our faith in everyday life.
As we take the time to intentionally celebrate our tamariki, we are invited to be reminded by our children of what it means to have a child-like faith. That we would realise that we have much to learn from the smallest among us of the nature of God, and that in turn, we are called to love, nurture and care for the children in our midst.
I would also like to invite you to pray for our tamariki and their whānau. In a time when there are many pressures on families, we pray for God’s provision and protection over our children, for resilience and confidence as they discover who they are, and their place in this world. But most of all, we pray that the children we know would discover for themselves how big and wide and deep is God’s love.
On behalf of the PCANZ Moderator
Karo Wilson
Director
Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry
karo@presbyterian.org.nz
Moderator's Prayer
Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for our tamariki. For their energy, joy and zest for life. For the way that we can learn from them in seeing the world through their eyes. To experience wonder at the beauty of the world, to find excitement in learning new things, to see the world in a simple yet profound way. Help us to nurture and encourage our young people in our churches and communities, so that they feel valued and a vital part of our shared life. We pray for whanau who are struggling in any way and that you will show us how we may help. May our young people grow in their faith understanding, know deep in their hearts your abundant love for them and come to know their full potential in you. This we pray in the name of the one who welcomed and cared for the children, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Rose
Right Rev Rose Luxford
Moderator Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
moderator@presbyterian.org.nz