And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.
Luke 2:51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
Psalm 148
11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
Colossians 3
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.
This week more than many it is easy to see the connection in the lectionary passages!
As I am still in the 'note' process of crafting a sermon which must be preached twice this Sunday, I will simply share some 'thoughts.'
Forgive my randomness; there is no rhyme to these reasons yet.
"Obey" stands out. But I hate that word. When it applies to me. Now, when it applies to my children, well, that is much better.
But then "grow" has risen to the top of the cup also.
"Favor" is third in the running.
"Young" or "Child" is fourth.
Increasing in wisdom and stature and favor.
This is the only account of anything to do with the childhood (between birth and baptism/entry of ministry) of Jesus in the four Gospels.
The Gospel of Luke is written as a journey.
This is the first journey that Jesus takes to Jerusalem.
We continue to learn about the reversal of expectations.
Jesus was not born in Jerusalem as a 'proper' Jewish king should.
But here we find him in Jerusalem, in the Temple, conversing with the religious leaders like a 'proper' Jewish king and his parents do not expect it.
The child teaches the parents.
The rabbis/teachers are amazed by the child.
Yet the parents have provided the tradition of going 'up' to Jerusalem for Passover. They have provided structure of the community of faith.
Jesus was given a rich heritage of faith.
Jesus is 12, he is not 13, which would make him a man according to Jewish tradition.
Then there is the preaching path that takes us to 'family conflict during holidays.' Maybe I shouldn't touch that one.
A case study of what a father can do to keep children off drugs.
1. eat dinner with his family
2. do homework with his children
3. take his children to church/synagogue/place of worship
What is the next step to take after Christmas?
- ll that is gold does not glitter,
- Not all those who wander are lost;
- The old that is strong does not wither,
- Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
- From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
- A light from the shadows shall spring;
- Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
- The crownless again shall be king.
- (JRR TOLKIEN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING)
"Not all those who wander are lost," is the most famous quote from the Lord of the Rings series.
Jesus was wandering but he was not lost.
What do we learn from children?
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