Parents are usually nurturing, protective and observing their        child(ren) with love, tenderly caring for them with loving concern.

  Joseph and Mary were no exception as they parented Jesus:
(NASB) Luke 2:39-40 “When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.
40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

By the time Dr. Luke probably interviewed Mary, Joseph had died.  Jesus also had died, had been resurrected and had ascended into heaven.

“When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord,” other events occurred which were not recorded by Dr. Luke before “they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.”

Jesus had been taken to Egypt to escape King Herod’s intent to kill Him.  Time had passed, so Jesus was a toddler when King Herod the Great died and Joseph and Mary were told by God it was safe to return to Israel from Egypt.  (See Matthew 2:1-23)

Mary observed this first born Son’s physical growth and His increasing wisdom.  She discerned the grace of God was upon this Child.  Joseph and Mary had been entrusted with a great responsibility by God.  All parents are entrusted with a great responsibility by God to nurture their child(ren) in a godly manner.

As you consider your child(ren) or children whom you know, do you look at accomplishments of that child(ren)?  Or do you consider the growth of godly wisdom in their lives?
What are your goals for your children today?  Are those goals in line with God’s goals according to His word?  Are you preparing them to rely on the living God and His desires for them?
Perhaps you have no children, but you have friends who do…how are you encouraging others to point their children to God and His Holy Word (the Bible)?

Prayers for children will affect them, for God will hear and answer your prayers…as you pray according to His will.
Your observations of children (no matter their ages) can become a blessing to them as you point them to the living God of the Bible.