When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

These are a few rather cathartic lines.

As the account of the first Christmas draws to a close, Joseph and Mary finish their visit to the temple knowing that they have done all that the Lord requires them to do with their baby, Jesus.

So there’s a sense of completion to that first line. After having done all required things, Mary and Joseph can pack it all up again and head home.

They’ve been on quite the journey. First started by the need for a census, they’ve headed a long way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. They’ve seen some shepherds along the way after the child was born. Then on Jesus’ eighth day, they’ve made sure to take him along to the temple for all the requirements of the law to be met.

A sigh of relief. Now they can all go back home.

It certainly feels good when you know you’ve done what you needed to do. Sometimes that happens in daily life. Other times in the workplace. Still other times in our dealings with God.

Now, certainly, the only way we can be right with God is through Jesus’ righteousness. But as we walk through the Christian life, there are times when God prompts us clearly about things he wants us to either do, or, to not do.

It certainly feels good when we can say with a clear conscious and the right attitude, that we have done exactly as God wanted.

How can we manage to do that every day though?

By making it our aim to be like Jesus.

Jesus is strong, filled with wisdom and the grace of God is on him.

We can pray and ask for a spirit of wisdom, grace and spiritual strength to be upon us everywhere we go.

God loves to hear our prayers and when we pray and ask for the gifts of wisdom and insight, He will not hold back.

He loves to give His children good gifts, above and beyond what we expect or deserve.

That’s just what God is like. And that’s why it is a joy to follow Him.

Yours aiming to be like Him,

Alison