Grow into divinity, a painting and lesson from Christ’s childhood.

For all that Christ would come to mean to everyone on earth, His birth and the beginning of His life have a quiet and peaceful sacredness. 

The scene for this painting is of the Nazarene countryside, how it may have been during His childhood and adolescence...of a young Mary and Joseph and a toddler-aged Jesus during the time that Luke describes in 2:52, He “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Giving us a glimpse into Christ’s chance to learn and grow before he began “His Father’s work” officially on Earth.

D. Todd Christofferson said of this time in Christ’s life,

“Take a quiet, peaceful moment to ponder the beginning of His life—the culmination of heavenly prophecy but the earthly beginning for Him.

“Take time to relax, be at peace, and see this little child in your mind. Do not be too concerned … with what [may be] coming in His life or in yours. “

Even with the incomprehensible scope of Christ’s mission and purposes for His time on earth, He was still given time to grow and become. 

Surely God, full of love and grace, intends to allow us the necessary time to grow into our divine roles as well.  

Each time you take in the scene of this painting, this quiet morning in the countryside of Nazareth, I hope you will feel reminded to find space for yourself to grow into your fullness, whatever it may be, and take heart, even the Savior of the world, was given time to become.