Jesus Remembers: Developmental Trauma and the Childhood of ChristEpisode Summary

Jesus Remembers - Developmental Trauma and the Childhood of ChristEpisode SummaryIn this powerful conversation, host Kia Gutiérrez speaks with Christeen Luxem about her upcoming children's book "Jesus Remembers," which explores the possibility that Jesus experienced developmental trauma during his childhood. Drawing on historical context, neuroscience, and theology, Christeen offers a compassionate framework for understanding how God truly knows our suffering—even the suffering we experienced as children.Christeen Luxem has spent over 25 years as a military spouse, traveling the world alongside her husband Tony. Together they've been in ministry for nearly 33 years, leading retreats and serving military families. As a foster and adoptive mom who homeschooled her children for 25 years, she's advocated for children and women who've experienced abuse and neglect. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and is the founder of Stego Play Therapy in Lacey, Washington.Developmental trauma: What it is and how stress, terror, abuse, neglect, and systemic oppression impact brain development and our ability to connect safely with othersJesus's childhood trauma: Exploring the historical context of Jesus's birth and early years, including forced migration, the massacre of infants, refugee status, and cultural oppressionThe power of children's books: How story, art, and play create pathways for difficult conversations between parents and childrenAttachment vs. authenticity: Why children sacrifice authenticity for attachment, and how adults often bring this pattern into their relationship with GodNeuroplasticity and healing: How repeated safe, playful experiences reshape neural pathways in both children and adultsCultural rhythms of remembering: How Jesus's Jewish community used rhythm, music, food, and communal storytelling to integrate trauma and build resilience"When I think of the ways that Jesus has suffered, then I feel like I have a God who is with me in my suffering... God has experienced that and so really can be with them.""Children will always choose attachment over authenticity... We don't have to sacrifice authenticity to have attachment with God.""God is not afraid of our pain and God is gentle with us too.""Jesus lived the suffering of our children as a child, in a child's body... He had to live the power dynamic of being a child and a refugee."Resources Mentioned: Jesus Remembers (forthcoming children's book by Christeen Luxem, illustrated by Joshua Luxem)Gabor Maté's work on attachment and authenticityThe Seattle School of Theology and PsychologyCurrently in draft form with illustrations by Christeen's son Joshua (a tattoo artist), "Jesus Remembers" imagines Jesus's childhood based on historical and biblical context. The book is designed for children who have experienced:Forced migration or refugee experiencesFoster care and family separationAbuse and neglectPreverbal traumaAnnihilation anxietyThe book ends with Jesus welcoming children, reframing the familiar scripture: "Let the children come to me"For more episodes of The Church We Dream Of, visit Spotify or Youtube. To learn more about Stego Play Therapy, visit Christeen's at : https://stegochildtherapy.com/