Children may not always spell it right, but they will usually tell it right. Let me explain.

Recently the kids in our children’s church wrote Christmas cards to send to people in jail and in nursing homes. They drew pictures of snowmen, reindeer and Christmas trees, and wrote greetings such as “Marry Chiytmos,” “I love Jesas,” “Merry Chirtmas,” and “God Bells You.” One little girl wrote on the outside “Mery Chrismas,” and on the inside she wrote a happy greeting: “Hi! I am Kailey I am 8 years old let the light shin on you!” Another signed her card, “From: Savana 10 years old. Have a holly jolly Christmas!”

However, there was one card that our children’s leaders decided not to send to the jail ministry. It said, “You might want to make better choices next time. Merry Christmas.” Nothing like a little brutal honesty to spread Christmas cheer. (Does Simon Cowell have a kid in our church?)

But then, the Bible considers an honest response a blessing: “He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips” (Proverbs 24:26, HCSB). When the first deacons were chosen, The Bible says they wanted “men of honest report” (Acts 6:3, KJV). After all, the Bible condemns flattery, saying, “He who speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail” (Job 17:5, NKJV).

The eyes of our children seem to be fine. What they see, they say. No wonder Jesus said that “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15, ESV). Maybe part of that child-like faith is telling it like it is.

(Copyright 2011 by Bob Rogers. Email: brogers@fbcrincon.com. Read this column each Friday in the Herald. Read old “Holy Humor” columns by visiting www.fbcrincon.com and clicking on “Holy Humor.”)