Jesus: someone special

Parents love to hear people say nice things about their children. When a relative says how tall you're getting or a stranger thanks you for helping her, your parents feel just as proud as you do.

If that's true, then in this week's Gospel (Luke 2:22-40), Mary and Joseph have a lot to be proud of -- because when they show off their new baby, people say the nicest things of all about Him!

When Jesus was a baby, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple (like your church) for the first time. While they were there, a very old man named Simeon took Jesus in his arms and said, "Now I can die happy, because I've seen the person who will save the world and my people."

Parents like to show off their new babies. When you were a baby, your parents probably asked everyone to come see you the day they brought you home! Joseph and Mary did the same thing. They were so happy to have Jesus that they brought Him to the temple, where they thanked God for Him.

Parents especially like it when people say how wonderful their child is. When you do something nice like standing in line quietly and someone notices how good it was, your mom and dad are happy about it.

When Mary and Joseph carried the baby Jesus into the temple, they probably expected people to see how quiet and good He was acting. But they didn't expect to hear all the wonderful things people said about Him! Strangers didn't just say, "You have a beautiful baby;" they said, "Your baby is going to grow up and save the world!"

All parents love to hear good things about their kids. Mary and Joseph loved to hear how much people liked Jesus. But they got to hear some even more exciting things! All kids are special in different ways, but Mary and Joseph found out that Jesus was special in a very important way. Even strangers could tell that baby Jesus was the Son of God!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me to be good þ and be proud of myself for it! Amen.

(01-30-97)

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