36. Anna, a prophetess, was there at the Temple. She was from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. She had lived with her husband seven years
37. before he died and left her alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the Temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting and praying day and night.
38. Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
39. Joseph and Mary finished doing all the things that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.
40. The little boy Jesus was developing into a mature young man, full of wisdom. God was blessing him.
41. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
42. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual.
43. When the festival was over, they went home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. His parents did not know about it.
44. They traveled for a whole day thinking that Jesus was with them in the group. They began looking for him among their family and close friends,
45. but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.
46. After three days they found him. Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, listening and asking them questions.
47. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and wise answers.
48. When his parents saw him, they wondered how this was possible. And his mother said, “Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you.”
49. Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.”
50. But they did not understand the meaning of what he said to them.