Page 25 - January 2026 - Truth & Tidings

As the Creator (John 1:3) tended to be linked with fruitfulness and

As I write this article, it’s hard not to be blessing was now connected with thorns
distracted by the beautiful scene outside and a curse. Sin’s impact was also evident
in Adam and Eve’s family. Although their
my office window. The sky is brilliant hopes ran high when their sons were born,
blue, and brightly colored leaves are rus- sin soon left its mark on their home, just as
tling in the trees. Two little ladybugs are it would in every generation that followed.
scampering across the glass. The artistry Yet, amid all these disappointments, there
of it all is breathtaking. How wondrous remained the promise that God would one
just to think that it was all made by Him! day send a Child to crush the serpent and
Why did He make the world like this? liberate them from sin’s dominion.
He could have created it in a more utilitar- That Child was God’s own Son. Oh, how
ian way, with only browns and greys, and we would love to know more about His
every design only as basic as it needed to childhood, but we only have one precious
be. But instead, He created a world full glimpse of it in Luke 2. There we see Him
of wonder, variety and beauty. He filled sitting in the temple among the elders,
it with things that are pleasant to the astounding them with His wisdom and
sight and delightful to the taste (Gen 2:9). understanding. What lofty heights for a
And when He was finished, He rested on twelve-year-old boy! Jerusalem seemed
the seventh day, because everything was ready to welcome Him, but instead He
“very good.” returned to Nazareth with Mary and
That wonderful world that He created Joseph “and was subject unto them.”
was more than just a home for Adam During those hidden years of His youth,
and Eve; it was their very first workplace He did whatever they asked of Him,
(2:15). God placed them there, just as He without complaining or answering back.
places us here, to work for His glory. His He completed every chore promptly and
own work in creation serves as a model with a willing heart. He didn’t drag His
for us to follow. It calls us to rise above feet nor did He ever need to be called back
the bare minimum and pursue excellence to redo a job that was done poorly the first
in our work, just as He has done. But it time. He honored their authority, despite
also reminds us to balance our work with their shortcomings, in keeping with His
rest, acknowledging that both have been Father’s will. His humble submission is
sanctified by Him (Exo 20:9-11). an example to us all.

As a Child (Luke 2:51-52) As a Carpenter (Mark 6:3)
Sadly, sin soon marred that creation and No doubt the elders in the temple
even work itself. What God originally in- thought that this boy would one day be

TruthandTidings.com I January 2026 25 25