The 10th Day of Christmas

Luke 2:39-40
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.  

Jesus Christ fulfills the entire Law of God, even in His infancy, even when He is unable to walk or talk. Mary and Joseph performed all things according to the Law. We can see why it was important for the mother and guardian of Jesus to be pious Israelites. 

Yet, even in His innocence and perfection, there is growth. Jesus “waxed strong in spirit.” He grows in wisdom and favor with God. See also Luke 2:52 where it says, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” It seems that being morally righteous does not make one stagnant. It does not stop growth in spiritual matters, but rather fuels it.

This side of paradise none of us can claim moral perfection. But the grace of God is upon us too. God showers you with favor through His Word preached, taught, read, and sung. He pours out the Spirit in Baptism as our sins are cleansed and our lives are renewed through the resurrection of Jesus. He nourishes us with the Spirit as we eat and drink His body and blood at the Lord’s Table. 

Through all of these God fuels and spurs our growth in spirit, our increase in wisdom, and as we grow, He delights in our growth. In that growth, however, we are not completely passive. There is some effort on our part to move in the direction of life and wisdom rather than death and destruction. 

Reading the Scriptures is the best way to gain wisdom. It is the wisdom of God in book form, and so we should read it as often as we can. Worshiping with other Christians and sharing fellowship with them outside of worship are also opportunities to help one another grow in spirit. Iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17) Discipline, or practice, also plays a part. We do not simply input knowledge, but we must put that knowledge to use. When God teaches us something new, it is good to make a habit of it. Whether in worship, prayer, or daily life, discipline is of much value for growth in spirit.
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The strength of Jesus in spirit and wisdom accomplishes our salvation. It also increases our own strength. That strength is not used to save ourselves. That work is already done. But it is used to grow stronger in wisdom, to follow our Lord Jesus Christ all the more closely that we may be as He is.

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