December 23, 2002 (last for the year) 

THE QUIET TIME

For me, the week between Christmas and New Years has always seemed to be a very quiet time. It's kind of like a lull between two holiday storms. Nothing in particular is happening.

But I've also learned in life that the quiet times are often periods of great activity beneath the surface, times for regrouping, renewal and growth.

As an example, notice the quiet time in the record of Jesus' life, as recorded in the New Testament. We read about his birth, anticipated by angelic messengers in announcements to Mary, Joseph and others. We're told about the magical night, when the Baby was born in a barn and shepherds came to worship. And we're given some information about events that followed, the trip to the Temple when Jesus was eight days old, Herod's attempt to kill him, the visit of Wise Men from the east, Joseph's decision to move the young family to Egypt to protect them, and their ultimate return to Israel.

Then, silence! Of the next ten years of his life we know nothing. Luke tells us about one boyhood incident: at the age of twelve, the family made a journey to Jerusalem to celebrate a feast, and the pre-teen Jesus amazed the scholars with his mature understanding. A brief glimpse, then the silence falls again—for eighteen more long years.

The next thing we know, Jesus is thirty years old and beginning his ministry. He's an adult man, with a clear sense of his mission and a powerful influence over the people around him. The Gospel writers don't tell us about everything that went into his development, the myriad of little incidents, interactions with people, thoughts and feelings.

Of course, many well-meaning believers tried to fill in the gaps in the early Christian centuries. Other "Gospels" were written with made-up stories about Jesus' boyhood, full of miracles and other supernatural manifestations. But these are all fiction.

The real business of this quiet time in Jesus' young life is summarized in Luke's Gospel:
"Jesus grew in wisdom, in maturity, and in favor with God and with people." (Luke 2:52)

As you look back over the quiet times in your life, you can probably see the same sorts of development taking place. On the surface, you seem to be treading water, with nothing happening to write home about. Yet, deep within, the Holy Spirit is doing the rebuilding and refurbishing that is slowly, but surely shaping you into the person God intends you to be.

Maybe you'll be able to see evidence, to some small degree, of the growth Jesus was experiencing:

"in wisdom," as you overcome your impulses and your snap judgments and come to respond to life with true understanding;

"in maturity," living a life that is well thought-out, purposeful, constructive;

"in favor with God," having a growing sense of his presence and a constant experience of his grace and guidance;

"in favor with people," living in harmony with family and friends, out of a commitment to seeing the best in others.

These are the kinds of things we don't seem to learn in the busy times, when things are swirling around us. Quiet times are critical to our spiritual growth.

So, during this quiet time between the holidays, reflect on what God is doing in you. As these changes become part of who you are, you'll be able to see God work through you in new ways. But He must work in you before he works through you.

–Pastor George Van Alstine