Luk_2:50-52
For eighteen years longer he continued in the obscurity of Nazareth, a matchless man, in holiness unrivalled, spending his days at his fathers handicraft, and in preparation for his great work. He was for thirty years emptying himself of all glory, that afterwards he might be filled with reproach for our sake. We ought exceedingly to admire our Lord in the lowliness of these preparatory years.
How beautiful his childhood was!
Harmless and undefiled;
Oh! dear to his young mother’s heart
Was this pure, sinless child.
Kindly in all his deeds and words,
And gentle as the dove;
Obedient, affectionate:
His very soul was love.
Oh! is it not a blessed thought,
Ye men of human birth,
That once the Saviour was a child,
And lived upon the earth?
