Gtcotr/ss122417
The
Christmas Story we read each year at this time did not happen in just one day.
The account recorded in the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel took perhaps 3
to 5 years. It is a record of the birth and beginning of the young life of
Jesus who was born of a Virgin in the town of Bethlehem and raised in the town
of Nazareth in the Galilee.
Everything
we know about the childhood of Jesus, between birth and the age of 12, is
summed up in only one verse.
Luke 2:40 And the Child grew
and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon
Him.
From
this brief glimpse we understand that there is a period in life called
childhood when neither God nor man requires true accountability from a child.
Rather God has placed children, and even His only begotten Son, under the hand
of parents, tutors, and governors until the appointed time.
Galatians 4:2 But is
under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
All
of the learned studies I have made throughout the years have pointed me to the
reality that God intends parents and/or guardians to be the responsible parties
in a child’s life until the age of accountability which may not be defined by
the number of years but is rather a pivotal moment in each child’s life when
they are confronted by the Holy Spirit and they begin to be held accountable
for their own decisions. This pivotal time in life seems to be generally recognized
at about the age of 12 or 13 years.
I
know it happened in my life in the summer of 1967. I was 12 and a half. I can
tell you the day, where I was and what I was doing when I was confronted with
the reality that God had given me a choice as to how I would live my life. That
summer I became responsible to God for my decisions. I was a child – it seems
overnight I became a boy. (vs. 40&43)
The
next verse in Luke shines a light on this pivotal moment in the life of Jesus.
Jesus was confronted with His responsibility towards God and how it meshed with
His responsibilities towards His mother and step-father.
Luke 2
41 His parents went to
Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
42 And when He was twelve
years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
43 When they had finished the
days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph
and His mother did not know it;
51 Then He went down with
them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all
these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in
wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
(Luke
2:40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and
the grace of God was upon Him.) Grace then Favor … As a young child Jesus grew
in size and wisdom and was given grace. At about the age of 12 and a half,
Jesus still had some growing to do in size and in wisdom but now He needed
favor, not only the favor of God but also with man. Favor is most often gained
because of how we present ourselves, our decisions and because people know they
can depend on us.
The
story of Luke continues with Jesus fully grown at about 30 years of age. In
less than 3 chapters Jesus is a baby, a child, a boy and now a man.
Luke 3
21 When all the people were
baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed,
the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit
descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven
which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
23 Now Jesus Himself began His
ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the
son of Joseph, the son of Heli,
A
Son in whom God was well pleased … He had grown up to please His heavenly
Father. Mary and Joseph must have done a pretty good job!
The
Christmas story from the Book of Luke holds such revelation and comfort for
parents who hope and pray and struggle through the child raising seasons of
life. These early years are potentially the most difficult and yet the most
eternally rewarding challenges any one of us will ever face in life. Parents
are challenged to be like God in the eyes of a child.
Of
course we must teach them the difference between us and God while at the same
time embracing the similarities and depending on the guidance. Parents are
chosen and given place to be a guiding light for our children.
Children
are designed by our Creator to be impressionable. They are born with a
mold-ability and it is very hard for any child to end up being much different
than their parents. In order to break the mold a child has to struggle through
life with conflict – what I see and know versus what I
should be and show.
It
seems an unfair burden is placed on children when they are born into a
situation where they are not loved, guided, supported, trusted, taught, cared
for and encouraged to be happy, contented, successful, productive, kind and
giving citizens as they grow up. It’s hard for a young child to discount the
model and break the mold and strike out on a new way they have not known or
been shown. It’s best when a parent, guardian, or mentor takes a child under
wing and teaches them the right way by modeling it themselves.
Notice
that the scriptures really tell us more about Mary and Joseph during those
early years than about Jesus. Once we know about Mary and Joseph, we can fairly
well predict what the course of the life of Jesus will be.
The
Christmas story is about the Christ Child, the only begotten Son of God, being
born in the town of Bethlehem who grew to become the Savior of the World. But
it is also about His parents, their lives, their decisions and their home.
Let’s take a closer look at the kind of people God chose and gave to Jesus as
parents to be responsible for His upbringing.
Joseph:
·
Was
an honorable man who followed the traditional guidelines of a committed and
godly engagement before marriage.
·
He
was a man of deep moral conviction and demonstrated character.
·
He
was a spiritual man who believed in God-given dreams.
·
He
was a man who was not afraid of public opinion but stood by what He believed
was right.
·
He
was committed to his spiritual convictions possessing and exercising tremendous
self-control.
·
He
was a man who trusted his wife and allowed her to speak out and supported her
decisions as though they were his own.
·
He
was a religious man who guided his family in the ways of God and attended the
Feasts of Passover at great personal expense each year.
·
He
was a man who trusted his children as they grew but kept a watchful eye and did
whatever it took to protect and guide them back on track.
·
He
was the spiritual leader of his home and his family followed him whether to
Bethlehem, or to Egypt, Nazareth, or to Jerusalem.
·
He
made his decisions based upon what was best for his family in the eyes of God.
·
He
was willing to raise a child that was not his child as though He was. Many
supposed and believed Jesus was Joseph’s son …
·
Joseph
was evidently a good man … I have never read nor heard one negative word about
him.
Mary:
·
A
chaste young woman with values and virtues above reproach.
·
She
was willing to endure hardship for the will and plan of God.
·
She
believed the Word of God.
·
She
was not a lazy person.
·
She
endured hardship and even rejoiced in unknown days to come.
·
She
was not a fearful woman.
·
She
was tough … she had her baby in a stable.
·
She
was not quick to judge, condemn, disagree, or speak … she pondered things in her
heart.
·
She
saw value in the traditions of her religion …
·
She
dedicated herself and her child to God.
·
She
trusted, followed, supported, and obeyed her husband.
·
She
wasn’t afraid to speak up.
·
She
disciplined her children with love and directness
·
She
was committed for life to her family and her God.
Jesus
was raised in a traditional, moral, religious, loving, and kind home with good
honest, caring, disciplined parents who loved and worshipped God and expected
Him to be an obedient child who did whatever He could to help others. This was
the mold Jesus was poured in to and these were the impressions God wanted to
make on the young impressionable life of His only begotten Son while He was
growing up to become the Savior of the World. These were the family values that
helped shape His young life.
We
don’t see Mary and Joseph arguing or divided on how to raise their children but
rather we see both parents participating in everything from worship to family
trips. Mary and Joseph are seen in scriptures as one. Through all the
complexities of their individual situations and the social problems it caused
as well as the physical, mental, and spiritual demands placed on their lives, we
never see any evidence of them disagreeing or doubting or blaming. I’m certain
life was hard … Joseph held down a construction job and was well known as a
carpenter in his hometown. Mary was evidently a bit more social and seemed to
be in some considerate charge for the wedding in Cana with a concern for both
the host and for the guests at that wedding.
Mary
knew her son and knew His capabilities and she was not shy about demanding He
help. And then she commanded the servants at the wedding to do whatever Jesus
told them to do. Jesus complied although not keen to do so on His own … He knew
from experience that He had better obey His mother. As well, those other
servants at the wedding also obeyed Mary.
It
would be great if we all had parents like Mary and Joseph. But, even if we
didn’t or don’t now … nonetheless the Christmas Story can be a reminder as to
the type of mom, dad, husband, wife, worker, friend, and servant of the Lord we
need to be so that our children, our grandchildren, our spiritual children, and
the community we serve might see our lives as a role model to follow. Who are
you helping to be more like Christ?
Thank
God for the Christmas Story, thank God for Jesus, thank God for Mary and Joseph, and thank God for you!
You
are chosen to be someone’s gift from God. Now … Go be the blessing you were
meant to be for ones who need you!
Merry
Christmas!!!
