During January, we take a leap from the Christmas stories of the birth and childhood of Jesus to the beginning of his ministry. (One small London boy, listening to this story in Sunday School asked: 'Was this the same Jesus as was a baby at Christmas?' and getting the reply, 'Yes, that's right', commented: 'Cor! Growed up quick innit?')

The fact is, there were probably about 30 years between the end of Matthew chapter 2 and the beginning of last week's reading. We know nothing about Jesus' early life and 'hidden years' – and speculation has been abundant: they were spent learning a carpenter's trade and skills; looking after the family following the death of his foster-father Joseph; taking on the responsibilities of eldest son; learning to be a Rabbi, even – according to some scholars – spending time among the Essenes in the desert with his cousin John ... the fact is we simply do not know. But whatever those years were, whatever they contained, they must have been as much of a training ground for the ministry which begins now, as any university education. They must have been the years of learning the joys and difficulties of working folk, and sharing them. He did not come from the privileged background of wealth, education and status which would have sheltered him from ordinary people; he was one of them.

And, as such, he is one of us: Emmanuel, God with us.

'So when the dove descended on him the Son of man,
the hidden years had ended, the age of grace began.' (STF 233, v2)

Rosi MorganBarry