December stories

December 2: Jesus heals the blind man/men (Mark 10:46-62)

•This teaches me that faith means we are specific in what we ask for. Jesus knows our needs. But we must have the faith to ask Him specifically for help with them. "What wilt that I should do unto thee?" He asks. 

•if I were to answer this, I could say, an opportunity to invite someone to learn more about the gospel. Or, help with final papers. I know He answers specific prayers.

December 5: The humble circumstances of Christ's birth (Jesus the Christ, chapter 8)

• The circumstances really were very humble. And sweet. There was an angel who told shepherds to go greet Him. They believed and immediately went. There was a manger, a quiet, peaceful place. There was a new star. There was a choir of angels singing. Mary pondered the things in her heart.
• I got to sing in our stake's Christmas program, "A Child Is Born," and one of the songs is very very sweet and powerful. It's called "Manger of Bethlehem" and how He was just a little baby in humble circumstances but was already a King. And Joseph was saying today about how he'd been pondering how Joseph and Mary parented Jesus, knowing who He was and what He would become and that He was perfect. A sweet, profound thought. 

December 9: I read the beginning of chapter 9, which talks about Christ as a boy and young man. Talmage said that Mary's relationship with her son was never quite human; it always had the reminder of His divine origin. How interesting. And he also said the Jesus didn't know right away who He was and what He'd do. But he grew and learned and was wise. The time He was found in the temple at age 12 was interesting. Talmage notes that what He was doing wasn't peculiar: talking to older priests, asking questions, discussing things. But the deference they paid him was the peculiar thing. They recognized His deep wisdom and knowledge. And Mary and Joseph picked up on that level of respect as soon as they went into the temple and saw Him. Another interesting thing about this occasion is what Mary and Jesus said to each other. Mary said, "Your father and I have been looking for you..." and Jesus answered, "I was doing my Father's business." His comment corrected her inadvertent mistake...that Joseph was Jesus's father. So by that point, Jesus at least knew His divine origin and who His real Father was (whether or not He understood the biological origin, I'm still not sure).

Raising a perfect son must have been so interesting.