Read Luke 2

Childhood is a wonderful, blissful, and innocent time of life.  As an adult, I often find myself longing for the days of childhood when responsibility and expectations were not heavy, and when days of play and imagination were long and fun.  There is nothing more distinctly human than the imagination and exploration that accompanies childhood play.

The Bible doesn’t record much of Jesus’ childhood life apart from the circumcision, a flight to Egypt, the move to Nazareth, and a moment that is recorded during Jesus’ 12th year.  Yet, it is clear that, when Jesus returns to Nazareth later in His ministry, those present recognize Him.  It does, however, beg the question, what happened in Jesus’ childhood?

Luke’s Gospel is largely centered around the theme of Jesus’ humanity, a vitally important part of who Jesus is as Messiah.  The image we see here in Luke 2 is not, however, a blissfully ignorant child, unaware of His true identity, but rather a “Young Messiah” who is distinctly aware of who He is and what He is called to.

It is interesting that Jesus sits with the teachers and religious leaders, those He would be rebuking later on in His ministry, not teaching them (which He certainly had every right to do being God), but asking questions.  Even Jesus asked questions, sought answers, and desired to learn more.

This is one of the main things that happens in childhood.  We learn a lot during our formative years.  Scripture talks about believers as having the “faith of a child.”  I wonder if part of what this means is that we are always seeking to learn more and grow more.  Human development is marked by milestones of growth, perhaps faith development is also this way, always looking forward to greater, deeper, maturity and relationship?