Here's a late gift from this old Southern-Fried Santa Preacher. It's just a thought. Don't pack Jesus away in that box marked "Christmas Stuff" to be brought out next Christmas. Keep him out of the box and grow this year with him. Put him away in a box and you may be able to keep him forever young. Keep him out of the box and grow up with him.

I think it's intriguing to contemplate the comment in the New Testament that Jesus "... grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man." Some of it makes simple, common sense. Of course the child grew into adulthood. We don't know much about those years about which the scriptures are silent. That's why we treasure the little episode when Joseph and Mary took the 12-year-old to the temple.

It is recounted in Luke 2. Obviously he was a precocious child, comfortable conversing about deep things with his elders. The story at least suggests that he was something of a prodigy. It makes one wonder what he knew at such a young age. In the mature years of his ministry, he spoke about the relationship of children and child-like faith to the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew: 18-19) Might he have been having flashbacks to his own childhood?

In what dimensions of wisdom would he have needed to grow? By 12 years of age, he would have learned lots of the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible. But how much of ordinary human experience did he understand? By the time he launched his public ministry, it was abundantly clear he was well-versed in the human condition.

He "... grew in favor with God and man." He was obviously popular with all kinds of people. He was no stranger to a wedding party. He could attract a huge crowd to hear him preach and teach. He was well-known for picking up the tab for wine and food. He did signs and wonders. From his childhood to the cross, Jesus grew. Today, he finds favor with more people than ever before.

I am fascinated by children and young folk. I learn a lot from them. I received an e-mail last week from my granddaughter, Megan. She's a senior in high school and has a way with words. She knows how to push her grandpa's emotional buttons.

Here's what she wrote: "Papaw, there are two things in this world that I can honestly say I love unconditionally: family and pie. Why am I telling you this? Because just four minutes ago I had a delicious, warm piece of Mamaw's pie that she created for Christmas, It's amazing that it has survived this long in my refrigerator. Outstanding pie. Mamaw is both family and a crazy pie chemist. So I guess that means I love her double unconditionally. Let her know that. Love you too! But you can't make great pie; so you can't get away with as much. :p)

That little symbol is called an emoticon. It is a symbol of an emotion. It is a happy face lying on its side with a "p" in the middle. I think it means "I love pie." But what do I know? I'm an old geezer just trying to keep up with these exciting youngsters.

Now, here I'm going to take a cue from the youth. Why don't we invent a new emoticon? Start with a happy face on its side. :) Then put a J in the middle of it. :J) What do you get? An "I love Jesus" button for the New Year! I know there are pietistic cynics who sneer at such whimsy. But in whose company would you rather spend a new year? I'll take a touch of joy and brightness, optimism and delight any year!

Harold Bales is a semi-retired Methodist minister who lives in Kannapolis. He's also got a new book out and copies are available for sale. For more information, visit www.TheSouthernFriedPreacher.com. Send him an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .