Jesus Christ shows us the way
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Simeon was a very old man, but he had been promised that he would see Jesus Christ before he died. Anna was a prophetess who was also very old. One day Anna and Simeon saw the Baby Jesus in the temple. They knew that the baby they saw was Christ, the promised Messiah foretold by all the prophets. He had come to live on earth and save the people from their sins. (See Luke 2:21–38.)
The Baby Jesus surely grew just like you are growing. The scriptures say that He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Our bodies increase in stature when we eat good food and get plenty of exercise. That is surely what Jesus did. He might have played outside, and He must have worked hard when He lived in Nazareth. Children in those days usually walked everywhere they went. That helped them grow physically strong. Think about Jesus playing with friends or learning to work in Joseph’s carpenter shop. Can you imagine Jesus growing from a boy to a man?
As Jesus grew taller and wiser, He also grew strong in spirit, and the things He did were pleasing to His Heavenly Father (see Luke 2:40). When He was twelve years old, He went with His family to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. He had an amazing experience there. His parents thought that He was with their group when they left to travel home, but Jesus had stayed in Jerusalem. When they finally found Him, three days later, He was talking with the learned men in the temple. He was asking them questions and answering theirs. “And all that heard Him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (see Luke 2:41–47).
How did Jesus grow in spirit and in wisdom? He must have studied the scriptures in order to be able to talk with the learned men in the temple. We know that Jesus was obedient to His parents (see Luke 2:51). We know that His family kept the commandments and obeyed the law of the Lord. That is why they were in the temple that day they met Anna and Simeon. And that is why they went to Jerusalem for the Passover. If Jesus found favor with God and man as the scripture says, then we know that He chose the right and was honest and kind to others (see Luke 2:52).
Even as a child, Jesus set an example for us to follow. We can study the gospel, obey our parents, and learn to choose the right. As we do these things, we, too, can grow strong in spirit and in wisdom and in favor with God and man. Jesus lived on earth to show us the way.
Instructions
Print the attachment on heavy paper. Cut out Panel A and Panel B along the broken lines. On Panel A, cut out three sides of each window flap, as marked. To make Panel A into a pocket, cut a piece of heavy paper the same size as Panel A. Place Panel A (printed side up) on top of the cut paper, then glue the bottom and the side edges of Panel A to the paper. To answer the question “How Can I Grow?” insert Panel B into the pocket, read each window flap on Panel A, then open it and read the information inside. Pull up Panel B for pictures to appear in the windows.
Illustrated by Tadd R. Peterson; Detail from The Greatest of All by Del Parson (used by permission)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).
How Can I Grow?
Try to be like Him.
Keep the commandments.
Ponder the scriptures.
Serve others.
Pray often.
Eat right. (See D&C 89.)
Exercise.
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