When they had fulfilled all the prescription of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. // Luke 2:40
There are moments when God’s goodness is undeniably obvious to me. When I look back on my own life, I marveled at God’s wondrous works in major milestones: the day of my conversion, the day I got married, the birth of my children, when my husband’s cancer went into remission. However, there are equally numerous moments when God's presence was quietly revealed throughout my ordinary day: in the hug of a child, the smile of a friend, or the warmth of the sun on a winter day.
The early life of Jesus held some glorious moments when He is revealed as the Savior, such as when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1: 26-38), when the Angels proclaimed it to the shepherds (Luke 2: 9-15), and when Simeon and Anna revealed it in today’s Gospel (Luke 2:25-38).
Although Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was the Chosen One, they did not know the details of how this would unfold. God did not give them a master plan with everything mapped out. They simply had to take one day at a time and go where God led them.
After the purification and presentation ceremony, “they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). Except for the finding in the temple at the age of twelve, Scripture doesn't tell us more about their years at home in Nazareth. Yet, God was working in their lives and setting into motion His plan of salvation in their quiet living at home.
Likewise, we can find God’s presence in not only the big occasions, but in the ordinary moments. Intentionally seek God out today and let Him speak to your heart.
Lord, reveal Yourself to me. Help me to open my heart to hear and see your presence in my day. I love You. Amen.
Let Him speak to your heart. // Bobbi Rol Click to tweet
Bobbi Rol is a wife and mama living on the Monterey Bay in California with her husband, daughter (also a Blessed Is She writer), and three teen boys. When she is not driving her kids to school, practices, and games, she can be found by the ocean, catching a movie, or collecting journals and stationery. She was a contributing author to Gift: Study on the Eucharist, And Hay Became Holy, and our children’s devotional prayer book, Rise Up. Find out more about her at https://www.instagram.com/
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