Reflection | How Children Grow Strong, Grow Wise, and Grow with God

The Gospel of Luke tells us that the newborn Jesus "grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40). 

As a parent of a four-year old boy and 21-month old triplets, that is what I want for my children.  For them to grow--to grow strong, to grow wise, to grow in their relationship with God.  As a pastor, that is what I want for the children of my congregations and communities.  For them to grow--to grow strong, to grow wise, to grow in their relationship with God. 

How does this happen?  How do children grow?  Earlier in Luke's gospel, we are told that Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, took him to Jerusalem to the Temple to present him to the Lord.  While at the Temple, they met Simeon.  Simeon is described as being righteous and devout and filled with the Spirit.  The text suggests that Simeon was an old man, close to death, but they Holy Spirit had revealed that he would not see death until he had seen God's chosen Messiah.  Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation..." (2:29-30).

Mary, Joseph, and Jesus also met Anna at the Temple.  Anna was a great woman of a great age.  She never left the Temple, but worshipped there day and night, fasting and praying.  Anna, too, praises God because of the child Jesus (2:36-38). 

When Mary, and Joseph, and Jesus had finished at the Temple, they returned to Nazareth in Galilee.  Jesus grew strong, grew wise, and grew in his relationship with God.

How?  First, Mary and Joseph spent time with Jesus in the Temple, in God's presence.  Then Jesus grew.  Joseph and Jesus spent time with God's people, like Simeon.  Then Jesus grew strong.  Mary and Jesus spent time with a great woman like Anna.  Then Jesus became filled with wisdom.

Parenting children is a challenging task, helping them grow can be difficult.  However, my wife and I have found that when our children are in God's house of worship, when they are surrounded by God's people of all ages, when they hear the stories of God and of Jesus, when they are prayed for and blessed, when their child-like faith is nourished, then they flourish. 

That is how children grow. That is how children become strong.  That is how they become filled with wisdom.  That is how they grow in their relationship with God.