Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This post Christmas writing is meant to inspire next steps after Jesus is birthed in our lives.

Today’s scripture, Luke 2:39-42 (NLT)…
[39] When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. [40] There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. [41] Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. [42] When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.

Consider…
Yesterday the birth of Christ was celebrated worldwide. But a question that I have is what to do the day after? That led me to read beyond the Christmas story verses in Luke.

A few verses after the shepherds I found Luke 2:21-24 (NLT)…
[21] Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. [22] Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. [23] The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD.” [24] So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

The first thing we see is Jesus’ parents obeyed the right way. As was required by God, Jesus was…

• Circumcized, in accordance with God’s covenant requirement with Abraham.

AI Overview says…circumcision holds deep religious meaning as a sign of covenant, identity, and commitment to God, particularly in Judaism (Brit Milah) as a physical mark of the eternal bond with Abraham, symbolizing belonging and separation from sin.

• Purified, in accordance with Mosaic law.

AI Overview says…in religion, purification is the ceremonial or spiritual process of becoming clean, free from sin, guilt, or ritual impurity to become acceptable for worship, service, or closeness to the divine.

• Sanctified, in obedience to the law of the LORD.

AI Overview says…Biblically, sanctification means being set apart for God’s holy purposes.

The Holy Spirit took Jesus’ parents actions to remind that He said in Matthew 5:17 (NLT)…“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

Like Mary and Joseph, once Jesus comes alive in us we must…

• Remove our old sin identity and put on new identity in Christ (circumcision).

Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) confirms…
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

• Realize we’re made clean through Christ’s blood sacrifice alone (purification).

Hebrews 10:1-10 (NLT) explains…
[1] The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves. The sacrifices under that system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect cleansing for those who came to worship. [2] If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their feelings of guilt would have disappeared. [3] But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after year. [4] For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] That is why, when Christ came into the world, he said to God, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. [6] You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. [7] Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will, O God— as is written about me in the Scriptures.’” [8] First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (though they are required by the law of Moses). [9] Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” He cancels the first covenant in order to put the second into effect. [10] For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

We’re made holy and righteous through Jesus Christ alone!!!

• Remember we’re chosen and set apart by God for His purposes (sanctification).

Colossians 3:12 (NLT) instructs…Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

And Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) explains…For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

The Holy Spirit is saying that once Christ becomes real in our lives, there must be tangible evidence that we belong to Him.

Evidence like Romans 8:9 (NLT) which declares…But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)

Our confession that Jesus is Lord for salvation is a control shift from our sinful nature to God’s Spirit, who won’t allow us to give into our sinful cravings.

That’s why Galatians 5:16 (NLT) exhorts…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

To help facilitate tangible evidence of our new life in Christ, the Holy Spirit showed me something key that was recorded a few verses later, in Luke 2:46-52 (NLT) we read…
[46] Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. [47] All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48] His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.” [49] “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” [50] But they didn’t understand what he meant. [51] Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart. [52] Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

Notice, Jesus’ parents found Him in listening and learning from religious leaders.

The Holy Spirit is telling me that it’s important for us to remember Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT) explains…
[11] Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Don’t miss God’s lessons because you don’t like, or agree with His appointed teachers.

It’s my belief that a lot of the scriptures Jesus quoted during His three and a half year ministry, starting in the wilderness temptation, were learned in His childhood by being a sponge for the word of God.

I don’t think Jesus reciting scripture was supernatural, it was His understanding/interpreting that was Spirit led.

That’s why Paul told his protege and us in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)…Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God has given us His word, it’s up to us to be a sponge taking it in and allow the Holy Spirit to help us understand, sometimes with the aide of religious leaders.

Yet, the thing that the Holy Spirit impressed upon me most as next steps came from these two specific verses from Luke 2 cited above…
First…[51] Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.

Jesus was obedient to His parents, the human authorities He gave charge over Him.

The Holy Spirit led me to Romans 13:1 (NLT) which admonishes…
[1] Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

Like it or not, we practice obeying God in Heaven by obeying all authorities here on earth. I think where we miss the mark is not recognizing our obedience is unto God, and He will deal with authority issues. The Holy Spirit just showed me God doesn’t want us to be children with authority issues, He wants us to obey and let Him fight our battles, afterall He is King of kings!

And second…[52] Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

God wants us to grow in wisdom. James 1:5 (NLT) advises…If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

And 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NLT) exhorts…
[5] In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. [8] The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You see, God doesn’t want our experience with Jesus to only be in a manger; or on a cross; or outside of an empty tomb. God wants us to continue to grow and be transformed in the image of Christ, for others to see.

The Holy Spirit is telling me to close with 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) which says…So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

There it is, see and reflect Jesus as He makes us more and more like Him.

Today’s song is…
Change Me

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)