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Good morning. Oliver Postgate who was born on this day in 1925, was the maker of many of my favourite children’s TV programmes. Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog, the Pingwings and Pogles Wood. Later on came the Clangers, and finally Bagpuss. Even now, there is something so distinctive about Oliver Postgate’s soft, warm, voice that instantly transports me back into those wonderful stories. I still hanker after what they stir in me: picturing the sort of world I’d like to live in, the sort of person I’d like to be. In these universes, quirky and distinct individuals have real life adventures, as they go about their daily business. They learn and grow, generally through discovering how to cooperate better together. They find out what it means to take responsibility for their actions – and, when things go wrong, they work out how to make amends, and say sorry, and offer and receive forgiveness. Strangers are encountered, and become friends. Challenges arise; misunderstandings and disappointments happen – but other characters are generally there to help out. Fairness reigns and kindness is king. But the essentials are the same – stories of communities which, at the end of the day, are all about putting life right, working together for good. And they have delighted children of all ages. Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven, we all need to become like little children – and that when we welcome children, we welcome him.  Our world may be far more complex than Oliver Postgate’s creations – but there’s no good reason why we shouldn’t have that same warm and gentle respect for everyone, adult and child alike.  Loving God, help us to be not childish, but childlike, and keep hold of the genuine wisdom of a world built on fairness, kindness and generosity to all. Amen