We have our plans, of course - the things we want to do, the specifics we have decided on. And we have some dates for these too. The old saying reminded us that "there's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip". And that can be true of any of our plans.
With the rest of the world we are waiting to see what will happen in the Middle East - in the attempt to reconstruct a very divided Iraq, in seeking and implementing a viable "road plan" to peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Combine with that our local concerns about the economics of sugar production and uncertainties about the future of the industry and we can become very unsure of many of our goals and plans for 2004. Aside from all the usual problems we may have in keeping New Year's resolutions, we cannot set absolute guarantees on so much that we want to achieve.
Just three days ago, we celebrated Christmas, recalling the divine plan - the coming of the Saviour, Christ the Lord. His name was called Jesus, for he would "save his people from their sins" (Mt. 1.21).
Yet the Son of God was born as a baby, having laid aside his divine splendour and prerogatives. The record gives no indication of the process by which the growing boy knew his identity and mission. Was it an awareness that was always present, but deepened and intensified? Was it a growing realisation - or a revelation, perhaps?
Those "hidden years", as they have been called, are hidden from us! Today's reading is the only indication from those times.
The family had returned from Egypt where they had been hiding from the madness and rage of Herod. Apparently, Joseph and Mary had seriously considered settling permanently in Bethlehem - possibly the realisation they both had that Jesus was different, a child of destiny, and the significance of Bethlehem itself, the city of David. For a carpenter with a long-established business it was a big decision to make.
But then the knowledge that Archelaus had succeeded his father as King of Judaea put the matter beyond question - to stay in Bethlehem seemed almost as unsafe as when they had fled to Egypt. So they returned to Nazareth in Galilee.
This too was part of the divine plan. Jesus grew up away from the eye of both the political and religious leadership. Where did he come from? was their question later on.
But now Jesus was twelve. The family had been to Jerusalem for the annual Passover feast, but as they set off for home Jesus had stayed behind in the temple. When Mary and Joseph found him there three days later, they were all "hot and bothered", shocked, distressed - "Why have you treated us like this?" (Lk 2.48).
Both of them had received angelic visitations before his birth. They heard the stories of shepherds and wise men. They had acted to protect the child from danger. But since then he had simply been growing up as a normal child. Now comes the reminder that the divine plan is not forgotten - "Didn't you know - understand - that I must be in my Father's house - among my Father's things - about my Father's business?"
But then, after this flash reminder to them, back to Nazareth where this obedient son continues to grow to maturity.
Our idea of growing up, of becoming adult, is very much being free to "express ourselves", to "do our own thing", to "make our own mark in the world". The idea that a child might follow in a parent's footsteps is reckoned to be old, out-of-date. Even in farming communities it can no longer be taken for granted, even though it is still often the case.
In those days it was a reasonable assumption that Jesus would follow Joseph into the carpenter's business. His virgin conception was unknown to the people of Nazareth, and for legal and all ordinary purposes Joseph was in fact accepted to be the father of Jesus. In spite of all the strange visitations that surrounded his birth, even Joseph and Mary must often have just thought of him as their son, even though they really knew otherwise. He was, after all, in their care. Can't you hear it all in the words of Mary, "Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you?" (v. 48)
But Jesus hadn't come into the world to be a carpenter! Even at twelve the realisation was clear to him - Son of God with a divine mission to fulfil!
In my Father's house - and that's not really Nazareth! Among my Father's things - not really just the hammer, chisel and plane! About my Father's business - not simply in the making of houses and yokes! My Father is the one they worship here! I am here to know and fulfil his Word and will!
Jesus went home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them (v. 52). And yes, he became a carpenter by trade for almost twenty years before his special mission and ministry could begin.
But this whole incident raises an important question for us, too. Whose business are we about?
In our own adulthood, what has been the guiding principle - the goal - of our life? It is easy for us to say, "That was Jesus! He was the Son of God! He had to be locked into God's mission, whether he liked it or not! I'm different! I'm just human! I have my life to live!" True, Jesus was unique and had a unique mission as Saviour of the world. Yet he was also illustrating human life as it was always meant to be lived - both in his submission to his earthly parents, and in his commitment to his heavenly Father's business.
And as we raise our children, do we release them to be about their heavenly Father's business, to fulfil his purposes in and through their lives? or do we see them as an extension of ourselves, to further our own ambitions or to achieve where we haven't been successful?
A new year is about to begin! Here is a resolution for 2004 - "This year I must be about my heavenly Father's business!" And it's a resolution for our church too - "This year we must be about our heavenly Father's business!"
It's a resolution that shouldn't in the least be changed by the "season" or the value of the dollar or whatever happens on the world scene, though events here and elsewhere may well alter the priorities and urgency we see in our resolve.
We're in this together! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!
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