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then-came-Jesus-paperback-772x1024Last week I finished up the second week of Advent readings. It has been a wonderful time of study and reflection over at Hello Mornings. We are currently doing the study, Then Came Jesus.

During the readings, this is where I found my thoughts:

  • Tears rolled at the description of Simeon – “he was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel” (Luke 2:25, NLT). And because he was postured in such a way, the Holy Spirit not only revealed things to him but fulfilled them in his life. What if that was each of us? Seriously. What would happen in me, in you, if we were righteous and devout and eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue us?
  • We each will have a reaction to Jesus. “King Herod was deeply disturbed” (Matthew 2:3, NLT) while “the wise men entered and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:10, NLT). What will your reaction be? (credit)
  • In his anger, Herod makes a rash and violent decision – “He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under” (Matthew 2:16, NLT). Good, wise or healthy decisions are never made in the heat of the moment. Even for ourselves, may we wait until our anger dissipates.
  • There were many moves made by this little family. Another move, another town, and another prophecy fulfilled. Amazing to me that while Mary bore and delivered Jesus, Joseph was just as vital in His life. It was Joseph who continued to be told or warned by angels or dreams where to go in order to keep safe. Our children need parents who are involved in their upbringing and hear from God.
  • In Luke 2:40 (NLT), Jesus is referred to as “the child” who “grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.” In verse 52 (NLT) it says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all people.” Jesus continued to grow throughout His life. He gained spiritual insight (as we see in His sitting and listening and asking questions of the religious teachers in the Temple). He also grew in His awareness of His relationship with God. He knew what His earthly mission was to be and did not lose sight of that.

May we also continue to grow in Him until we “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, NIV). 

 

Today I am joining with … Playdates with God and Unforced Rhythms and Mon. Musings and Create With Joy and Making Your Home Sing and Soul Survival .