1.2- We enjoyed a special time during Christmas day to be with our daughter,

 1.2-

We enjoyed a special time during Christmas day to be with our daughter, Amy. We were able to talk to several other family members who came by and checked in by phone. It is common to refer to "my kids" or "my grandkids" and in reality they are not mine. They belong to God and they belong to themselves as adults and I should have no "ownership" of them except their love and respect for me leads them to partner with me as much as possible.

The next major story after Jesus birth is when he decided to separate from the family and engage in discussion with the teachers in the temple. When they found him it is interesting that Mary said to him, "Why have you treated us this way?" Letting a twelve year old separate from his parents for learning may seem irresponsible to some, but this is the family that God chose for his own son.

The fact is that my children are not mine to own and possess and smother with my engagement. They are to be trained and taught and turned over to God for His guidance and development of their heart and soul and mind.

Luke 2.

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “[s]Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I [t]have been anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s [u]house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He [v]had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these [w]things in her heart.

52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and [x]stature, and in favor with God and men.