Toys

Apparently the first recorded toy in 4000BC was a Babylonian game similar to draughts. Since then children have played with a variety of toys through the ages, from simple dolls and spinning tops to the character based and electronic toys of today. The types of toys which we played with and our children and grandchildren play with may have changed but the constant is the joy and delight which toys give to all children.

It is interesting to discover the most popular toys of recent years, Transformers in 1985, Teletubbies in 1997 and last year it was Go Go hamsters. What will it be this year? As I look back on my childhood I recall my favourite toys being at different times; a teddy which I carried everywhere, a desk and chair and a scooter. What was your favourite toy?

We give gifts of toys, both inexpensive and expensive, to children today. The Magi bought expensive gifts to the baby Jesus, gold a gift for a king, incense a gift for a deity and myrrh a gift for a person who was going to die.

Today it is our Toy Service when we give gifts which are passed onto the Children’s Society for distribution to children in need. Let us hope and pray that the children who receive these toys today look back on them as adults with affection and happy memories.