HP 109 Let Earth and Heaven Combine, let Angels and men agree.
Reading St Luke Chapter 2 Verses 21 to 51
We probably remember the bit about Simeon from whom we get the Nunc Dimittis: Now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace, but what about the Prophetess Anna, it's a pity we don't have her words. She spoke to those waiting for God to set Jerusalem free and in a way we still are!
After that the family return to Nazareth. No mention here in Luke of the flight to Egypt recorded in Matthew. The Gospel writers see things differently and included what they could each find out and what they felt was important. We do that too. Twelve years pass before we catch another glimpse of Jesus.
We can imagine very easily how Joseph and Mary felt when they lost Him. I once lost my son when he was ten and it remains the worst day of my life. Note that it was Mary who tells Him off. Perhaps Joseph was already in awe of this strange adopted Son. This cannot be the only surprising thing He did in His first twelve years! Since He enthralled the Jewish teachers with His knowledge He must have surprised others before especially His proud (adopted) Dad. And since we have no knowledge of 90% of our Lord's earthly life, we can only guess at how He surprised Himself as He gradually understood who He was. We must not lose that surprise. William Cowper imagines Him speaking to us in the next Hymn. All but the first three lines and the last verse are words of our Saviour.
HP 521 Hark my Soul it is the Lord, tis Thy Saviour, hear His word.
Prayers: We use the last verse
of
that Hymn: Lord it is my chief complaint, that my love is week and
faint;
yet I love You and adore;
O for grace to love You more.