Unfold several pieces of newspaper. Lightly color or paint three pieces of newspaper brown. The first and second piece should be colored green on the back side. Begin to roll the first piece with the green rolled inside. You should be making a brown hollow tube. Before you finish this piece, over­lap the edge of the second piece, so you have one continuous roll. Make sure the brown side is out each time. Repeat for the next piece. Tape the outer edge to keep the roll tight. Make four cuts in the top of the roll. Place your thumb inside the roll, pull out in a twisting fashion. Each time you men­tion growth, pull the top of the tree to make it grow.

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We know very little about Jesus' childhood. Luke gives us a tiny glimpse. Luke 2:40 "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

We see Jesus grew physically, spiritually (strong in spirit), and mentally (filled with wisdom). It is God's perfect plan for all his chil­dren to grow physically, spiritually and mentally. In order for our physical bodies to grow, we must eat the proper foods. If we want our spiritual man to grow, we must eat soul food. This is not to be confused with turnip greens etc. The spiritual food that we are to eat is fellowship with God through prayer and Bible study.

The word grace means "unmerited love and favor of God." Grace is the influence of God that refreshes and strengthens a person. Jesus had the grace of God upon Him and we have that grace resting upon us also.

 Ephesians 4:7 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."

 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

 We have been given grace, but we also need to grow in grace.

 Grace also means charm. I believe Jesus was considerate and used good manners. It is important that boys and girls develop the social graces of good manners and unselfishness. I believe the more time we spend with the Father, the more we will find ourselves being more considerate of other people.

 JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

The Feast of the Passover was a very special time. After Israel escaped from Egypt, God com­manded His people to keep this feast on the 14th day of the first month of the Jewish year. This corresponds to March or April on our calendar (Numbers 9:2 & 3). For seven days they ate flat, unleavened bread. The first and 7th day of the feast were holy days and no one worked. It sounds like a holi­day and that is exactly what it was. They burned a sacrifice to God every day for seven days (Leviticus 23:5‑8). This feast was to commemorate God's divine provi­dence. It was a reminder that the death angel had passed over the homes with the blood over the doorpost and spared the oldest son. In the Egyptian homes, the oldest male lay dead.

 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. When Jesus was twelve years old, he accompanied them. Nazareth, where Jesus lived was 70 miles from Jerusalem. Not a long trip by car, but by foot it was a long distance to travel. Can you imagine traveling by foot over the rocky, rugged terrain?

 THE TRIP BACK HOME

After the Feast of the Passover, it was time to go back home. Many from Nazareth traveled together for protection and fellowship. The children played and walked together in groups. After the first day's journey, Mary and Joseph began to look for Jesus. They searched among their relatives and friends, but didn't find Jesus. I can hear them calling and frantically asking person after person, "Have you seen Jesus?" Each person re­sponded the same, "No."

 When they didn't find Him, Mary and Joseph went back to Jerusa­lem hunting for Jesus. It was a long walk back, a whole day's walk back to Jerusalem. It was not until the third day that they found Jesus (Luke 2:46). There He was, of all places, sitting in the temple. What an unusual place to find a boy! That is similar to hunt­ing for a sixth grader and finding him at school, asking the teacher questions and studying.

 But Jesus longed for more knowl­edge about God. He eagerly sought God and the wisdom that comes from Him. God promised in His word, if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we will be filled (Matthew 5:6). Jesus' desire to become more acquainted with God, came from God. That same hunger to know God is available to you, if you ask Him. Ask God to give you a desire to read His word and be filled with His wisdom.

 JESUS AMAZES THE DOCTORS

These were not medical doctors, but learned men of the law or Bible scholars. These doctors were respected and revered in the com­munity. Jesus was thrilled to learn from these men. He must have sat for hours listening to them explain the Bible.

 The doctors were amazed at the understanding and knowledge Jesus possessed. This knowledge was not His because He was God's son and possessed all knowledge. Instead, this knowledge is available to born again Christians today. Our great teacher, the Holy Spirit, gives this knowledge to believers. Philippians 2:7 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." We have the Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of the scriptures to us, but often, we are too lazy to apply ourselves. We must search the scriptures, like a miner searches the dark mines for gold. Priceless nuggets, far more valuable than gold, are there for you to dig from the treasure chest of your Bible.

 Jesus heard and understood what the doctors were saying to Him. So often, we sit in services where the Word goes forth, but we do not comprehend what we hear. God wants to give us hearing ears and seeing eyes so we can receive the promises He has stored for us (Matthew 13:14 & 15). Ask God to open your understanding. Ephesians 1:16‑19 is a prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians. It would be a good prayer for you to pray each day.

 When Mary questioned Jesus concerning his whereabouts, Jesus did not respond sarcastically or rebelliously. He was submissive to them. His response was, "Didn't you know I would be about my Father's business?"

 BACK HOME AGAIN

(Luke 2:52) Jesus was not content with the knowledge He had gained. He continued to grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. We also should continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge. This growing process should never stop.