And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40)
How glad Mary and Joseph must have been to get home! They'd been to Bethlehem, had a child, fled to Egypt, returned to Israel—and finally here they were, back home in Nazareth. Here they would make their home for the next 25 years or so. Joseph would work as a carpenter; Mary would cook and sew and clean, and Jesus? He would grow—day by day, stronger and wiser, like the human child He truly was.
I wonder if, after a few years of this, those earliest years began to feel like a dream? As far as we know, Jesus did nothing very surprising during those years. Even the memorable trip to Jerusalem where He got left behind was nothing in comparison with angels and angry kings.
But those years were a blessing, because they were the years when Jesus grew strong in the ways we do. He would have studied the Old Testament and memorized God's Word. He learned to live with other people, seeing what their cares and concerns were—and how often those things came out in His parables later! And through it all, He lived a complete, full life, according to both parts of His heritage—son of humanity, and Son of God.
What a great preparation for His great work of saving us, through His suffering, death, and resurrection!
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank You for living for me—and then dying and rising for me. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
* Are you easily bored, or do you enjoy peaceful times?
* What was the quietest year of your life? Why do you say so?
* What blessings has God given you through the quiet times in your life?
Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Today's Bible Readings: Genesis 16-17 Matthew 5:27-48
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