Mary and Joseph were so faithful. This week’s reading from Luke 2 recounts their dedication to follow the law of Moses. As required, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. They offered the sacrifice required in the law, “Either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” I imagine they wondered if that was enough for the Son of God. Simeon and Anna’s responses surely confirmed Jesus was the Messiah. Joseph and Mary were amazed. Then they went home. Although just going home might seem anticlimactic after all the events around Jesus’ birth, it was God’s good plan for them to go home to Nazareth. The faithful family needed time to grow.
Luke tells us, “There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.” He learned and grew, safe in Mary’s loving embrace, protected by Joseph. Wise little boy and eternal Son wrapped in one body. We hear His amazing story at church, then we go home. We also need time to grow. But as we learn in Galatians 4, we don’t go home the same as before we heard about Jesus. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Praying for you, children of God, that you continue to grow healthy and strong in our amazing Lord this coming year. ~Tracy