Christmas Week – Saturday

The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple. – Malachi 3:1.

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the Child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it. But they, supposing Him to be in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found Him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. And after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him, they were amazed. And His mother said unto Him: “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.” And He said unto them: “How is it that ye sought Me? Wist [knew] ye not that I must be about My Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them. But His mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:41-52). This is the only story we have of Jesus’ youth. We here see a ray of His divine glory shining forth from His voluntary lowliness. “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” said He, being the Only-Begotten Son of God. The Lord God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, had come to His temple—He for whom the believers had long waited and sought. In this light you must know the Child Jesus.

PRAYER. – Jesus, Jesus, Thou poor infant in the manger, Thou obedient Son of Thy lowly, earthly parents, who didst take upon Thyself the form of a servant, and wast made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, Thou didst humble Thyself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: Thou art, nevertheless, the Lord, the true God, begotten of the Father from eternity. I thank Thee that Thou, great Lord, didst become man – a lowly man – and didst save us miserable sinners. Grant, O Lord, that I may know Thee aright, and in true faith, may call Thee my Lord and Savior, until I shall behold Thee in Thy great glory. Amen.

A little Child, Thou art our Guest

That weary ones in Thee may rest;

Forlorn and lowly is Thy birth

That we may rise to heav’n from earth.

Hallelujah!

Thou comest in the darksome night

To make us children of the light,

To make us in the realms divine,

Like Thine own angels, round Thee shine.

Hallelujah!

All this for us Thy love hath done;

By this to Thee our love is won;

For this our joyful songs we raise

And shout our thanks in ceaseless praise.

Hallelujah!

Hymn 80, 3-5.