Have we grown with Christ this year?

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

Growing in favor and stature

The young Samuel was consecrated to God. He outgrew his white linen ephod and each year his parents would come to see him and clothe him in a new garment.

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and with the people.

Samuel's growth echoes that of the young Jesus. The psalmist said, "He has raised up a horn for his people." Jesus grew in understanding. When he was at the temple he discoursed with the teachers. The evangelist shows how Jesus was growing in wisdom, I don't know that he meant anything by his treating his parents poorly. At any rate when he went home he "was obedient to them.... And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor."

We are invited to grow up with Jesus as his chosen beloved. We are to clothe ourselves with the new linen garments of his character.

Colossians 3:12-17

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.