Young Jesus Teaches in the Temple

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge vowed “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” I am going to keep Christmas all the year by remembering my Savior and studying His life each week. Scrooge isn’t the only one who can make a change for the better. I can and you can. Elder Richard G. Scott promised, “The best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life” (“He Lives! All Glory to His Name!”). Please join me and invite your family and friends to join us in keeping Christmas all the year.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he 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 have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 

And it came to pass, that 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 astonished at his understanding and 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 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 2:40-52.)

Points to Ponder:
  1. How can you honor your Father in Heaven and your earthly parents more fully?
  2. What things are you doing to be about your Father’s business? Why?
  3. What are you doing to increase your mind? Why?
  4. What are you doing to strengthen your body? Why?
  5. What are you doing to strengthen your spirit? Why?
  6. What are you doing to strengthen your relationship with God? Why?
  7. What are you doing to strengthen your relationship with your family members? Why?
  8. What are you doing to strengthen your relationship with others? Why?

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