Reading: Luke 2-3, Psalm 113
Luke account of the birth and youth of Jesus is unique among the gospel accounts. He tells us not only of Jesus birth in Bethlehem, but the reason why Mary and Joseph went there. He tells us of the day Jesus was named at the temple, and introduces us to these two characters that seem to be right out of the most ancient Hebrew Scriptures, Simeon and Anna. He records the activities of some shepherds, who were hanging out on the hills outside Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. And he tells us about a young Jesus who got caught up in teaching and correcting the scribes, teachers of the law, and Pharisees when he was twelve years old.
One of the big questions of the Christian era is about what Jesus was like growing up, and what he did with his life before he embarked on his years of ministry that are recorded in the gospels. Given that we know Luke was a researcher, I think we can reasonably conclude that he told the stories that were worth telling, and the rest was pretty normal. Despite some really bizarre later works like the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, in which little kid Jesus does things like turn clay birds to live ones, miraculously stretch a piece of wood so Joseph can finish a carpentry project, and heal his brother James from a snake bite, it seems young Jesus was really a pretty standard child. Luke tells us only that he grew in wisdom and strength, and the favor of God was on him.
What I find most fascinating about this part of Jesus childhood is the appearance of these two characters, Simeon and Anna, who seem to know exactly who Jesus is and what he is going to do. Simeon takes Jesus and assembles quotations from Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah in a proclamation that this baby will be the salvation of his people and a light to the gentiles. What is the deal with these two? They appear no where else, and do not appear to have had an outsize impact on the people around Jesus. It seems that God was still at work revealing his plan to unlikely people- the widow and the old man, living in the temple, awaiting the faithfulness of God to his promises.
The last story is of Jesus at the age of twelve, when he parents faithfully make a trip to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus winds up at the temple, listening to the teachers and giving them answers that astonish them, which is an interesting take on what God expects. Young Jesus was chatting with a bunch of old teachers, and apparently that was exactly what God wanted him to do. A worthwhile reminder in a world that has been trending away from learning from our elders for some time. Anyway. Luke has given us insight into how Jesus was raised and spent his young life. It appears he was an obedient child, and likely worked many years as a carpenter like his adoptive father Joseph. It is from these years of life as a regular human that Jesus proceeds to engage in a few years of ministry that will turn the world upside down.