The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-01-10
DAILY HOME READINGS.


SIS. wi. Is.
After the story of Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus
the shepherds that find the babe, and the wise men
that came far, and owned him king the Word
is almost entirely silent for thirty years. There
apocrphal gospels, fictitious and absurd, that
attempt TO fill up the long period of the childhood
and growth of Jesus. They utterly unworthy
that they show their fasehood and need no refuta-
ton The Church of Christ has rejected them in
all the Christian ages.
In the simple, secluded home in Nazareth, among
the hills of Galilee, he grew to manhood His mother
the synagogue the fields and hills about him. and the
blue skies above with the toll of the days, and the
searching of the Scriptures these the education
of His humanity. There was a growing patience
waiting Gods time and obedience to every law, natur
al and revealed, and devout response to all divine
truth "The simplicity and honesty of the man
Jesus Christ nourished and perfected in a sim
pie godly family, in simple village away from
much of the falsehood which abounded in Judea."
The first verse of the lesson covers the history Of
eleven years "And the child grew and waxed
strong" The revised version omits Gin spirit" The
clause refers to the physical growth. There was
natural healthy growth in stature and in strength
Then he was also ''flled with wisdom" In the
tai life there growth The mind and character
developed and ripened. More, "The grace of God
was upon him." Gods favor upon him. in
50. "Jesus increased in favor with God and
the next paragraph we told of an incident
boyhood of Jesus of significance and of great
interest. ellis parents went to Jerusalem''-as
the custom of every pious family in Israel. The
Feast of the Passover the first of the three
nual festivals They commemorated the exodus Of
the twelve tribes from Egypt and the origin of Israel
a nation. They preserved the history and ira
ditions of Gods peculiar people. And they served
to keep the people of Israel in unity, gathering them
repeatedly at Jerusalem separating them from the
nations and teaching and over again the truths
of their religion The law required every man to
90 up to the three feasts Most of the Jews in Pal
estine tried to attend the Passover. In the year
when Jesus twelve years of age, he was taken by
his parents to the passover. The whole week OF
seven days prescribed the first two days. the
most important; either may he meant when it is
said, "They had fulfilled the days" Joseph and
Mary about to return, and 1.-THE child mot the
word translated "child in 40 but rather "the
hoy" or ladl "tarried behind in Jerusalem" "Ani
his mother knew not of it." They were not accus-
toned to keep a close watch him. He had
grown into such independence and character that he
was trusted and gave anxiety care. They went
a DAVIS Journey homeward. surrounded by kindred
and friends supposng him to he in the company
It was a caravan of friends and neighbors. and the
boy was not missed until they pitched the tents for
the first nights encampment. They sought him IN
the company and when they found him not they
turned again to him in Jerusalem. Such
thing had not happened before in their little family
and wholly a surprise
"After three days."-one the way out. another
on the return and the third spent in searching the
city for him. At last they found him. not in the
inns or camps. the streets: and not among the
youths of the city but actually Gin the temple" lie
was in the midst Of doctors teachers" the scribes
teachers Of the law accustomed TO come out at the
feasts and teach the people. He Sitting in the
midst of the teachers" not assuming to teach them
but both hearing them and asking them questions"
1t was not a strange thing. except that he so
young 1t already showed where the thought of the
boy was great opportunity for inquiry came to
him and il made him oblivious Of all else "Al that
heard him" the teachers and all who stood around
"were asonished at his understanding and answers"
There was a clear understanding of spiritual truth