Christmas

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Christmas Reading Plan | Week 4 Day 4

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Ask God to give you His wisdom today.

Bible Reading: Luke 2:41-47

Read these verses three times slowly.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Reflection & Questions

The panic for Mary and Joseph must have been overwhelming. To lose a child in a crowd is very scary. To forget a child in a busy city and travel a day away would have been paralyzing. Think Home Alone! But this isn’t any ordinary child on top of that. This child would bring salvation for all. That is quite a weight for them to carry. And in the hustle and bustle of the Passover celebration that is exactly what happened. Jesus is missing.

It’s no surprise to us where they found HIm. In the temple with the teachers. Notice, even at the young age of twelve the approach of Jesus. He was “sitting…listening…asking.” These verbs reveal a heart of humility and curiosity. It is an approach to learning and growing that we can all learn from. Before He answered, He inquired. Before He spoke, He listened. Before He taught, He sat with the people. It is remarkable that Jesus being fully God, had the character to sit, listen and ask. And no wonder that taking that approach “everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

1. What amazes you about this story?
2. When it comes to learning, do you have people that you are sitting with, listening to and asking questions? Why or why not? Why do you think it was important for Jesus to sit, listen and ask before he taught?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?