Steps for Us

When Jesus was born, the shepherds were informed and they all had a birthday celebration together at the manger. That's where we left the story off at the Christmas Eve service.

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given Him by the angel even before He was conceived. (Luke 2:21 NLT)

Mary and Joseph most probably stayed in Bethlehem for a little while. First of all, it was closer to Jerusalem than Nazareth and they would need to go to the temple to present their first born son for the purification ceremony. They could have circumcised him in Bethlehem or taken him to the temple in Jerusalem to make it even more special. Whatever the case, they had Jesus circumcised and named him just the way the angel instructed.

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. The law of the Lord says, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the LORD." So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." (Luke 2:22-24 NLT)

The purification ceremony needed to take place 33 days after the birth of a son (Leviticus 12:3-4). Mary and Joseph probably stayed in Bethlehem, only a day trip to the temple, rather than returning home to Nazareth, which was several days away from Jerusalem. Whether they stayed or traveled back and forth, they were committed to following the Law of Moses with their family. They were committed to walking together with God.

Jewish families still circumcise their boys on the eighth day to follow the law. My parents had me baptized in the Roman Catholic Church as an infant. They then raised me in the Church, took me to Mass every week, and sent me to parochial schools. They were committed to raising me to walk together with God. I'm glad they did.

In our early years, our parents, grandparents, godparents, or other guardians make choices for us. When they choose to walk together with God, they take steps for us that teach us to walk together with God as well. When they choose not to walk with God, these early steps do not teach us what it looks like to walk together with God.

How about you? Were your earliest steps together with God taken for you by the people who raised you? Do you help other children learn and grow in their walk together with God? Is God working through you to empower one more?