Luke 2 is all about the birth of Jesus and those whom it directly impacted. Though He was born the Savior of the World, His entry was in a lowly stable without pomp and circumstance. Incredibly, God announced Jesus’ arrival to shepherd nearby through a multitude of angels, singing and declaring the good news. Mary and Joseph followed all that was required by Jewish law, as He was circumcised on the eighth day and given the name, Jesus, as the angel had foretold. When Jesus was presented in the temple, both Simeon, a righteous and devout man who had been waiting to see the Lord’s Messiah his whole life, and Anna, a prophet, who had been a widow who never left the temple, but worshiped day and night, fasting and praying, waiting for the One who would redeem Jerusalem, had incredible responses to seeing the Savior for themselves. Each encounter the new parents had, it says, But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19) Chapter 2 of Luke closes with Jesus as a boy. At twelve years old, He went with His parents to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. Jesus stayed in the temple courts among the teachers, listening and asking questions. His parents could not find Him among them on the road home, as they had not realized He had stayed behind in the temple. When His parents found Him, they asked for an explanation of His disappearance. Jesus response was, “Why were you searching for me?” He asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) From there it gives another glimpse of who He was as a child, and closes with verse 52 that tells us, And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
All joy unto us,
the Savior was born;
a humble entry,
for the King to come.
Announced by angels,
to shepherds at night;
foretold to devout,
their lifelong delight.
That sweet infant King,
grew and He pursued;
wisdom and insight,
to God He stayed true.
All that had happened,
Mary treasured close;
God-written pages,
how all does unfold.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to be the Savior of the world. Thank You that You provide insight as to what His life was like as both an infant and into childhood, as well as how He grew into the One whom You had sent to save us all. Forgive us for not taking the time to seek to understand all that transpired before His ministry began. Teach us to ever pursue more of You, for it is in our pursuit that You reveal more and more of who You are and how You love. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they may gain glimpses of Your glorious goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we choose to be intentional to invest our time in learning more and growing in understanding and insight so that we might love more like You. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
For unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6