CHRISTmas -December 14 Readings: Luke 2:39-52

 

 

25 Days of Christmas

On the fourteenth day of Christmas, my Bible said to me...Jesus devoted himself to the Father in everything.

Today's Reading: Luke 2:39-52            

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Through the Bible Readings: Micah 1-2, Revelation 2:1–11, Psalm 141, Proverbs30:20 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: Growing Up Jesus        

Several false gospels were written in the post-Apostolic era that contained fanciful stories of Jesus's childhood - Jesus doing childlike miracles that were portents of the great works he would do in his later days during his public ministry. They are clearly false, presenting a different Jesus than the Gospels do. From the birth narratives of Jesus to the day he appeared to John in the wilderness to be baptized, tempted, and begin his ministry, a period of about 30 years, there is only this story of Jesus' visit to the Temple at age 12. Evidently, he lived a simple life as a carpenter's son in the sleepy village of Nazareth. Ancient traditions say that Joseph died during these years and was not around when Jesus began to preach.

Why did God wait until Jesus was past his 30th birthday? That's a question only God can answer and he has not revealed that answer to anyone yet. But, we began this series examining Galatians 4:4-5 and we know that God works perfectly in his own time.

Here, we see that Jesus was not just building things as a carpenter, he was constantly "about his Father's business." Whatever else Jesus was doing, he was getting ready, preparing, thinking, praying, and waiting on that moment when the Father told him to go to meet his cousin by the Jordan.

We never know when God is going to do an amazing work of grace and that is not our concern either. Our duty is to continually be conformed to Christ and to become more like him. We are to yield to his Lordship more every day and serve his kingdom with passion. As Jesus grew in wisdom and in favor with God and man, we should strive for those things as well.

Father, help me to grow daily in your wisdom, in the knowledge of your Son, and in all things that matter eternally.

Think and Pray :

Are you growing regularly in the knowledge of God's word and in becoming more like Christ? 

Carol of the Day: 

Infant holy,
Infant lowly,
For His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing,
Little knowing
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging
Angels singing,
Nowells ringing,
Tidings bringing,
Christ the Babe is Lord of all.




Flocks were sleeping,
Shepherds keeping
Vigil till the morning new,
Saw the glory,
Heard the story,
Tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing,
Free from sorrow,
Praises voicing,
Greet the morrow,
Christ the Babe was born for you!