38. Anna came up to Jesus' family at that very moment. She gave thanks to God. And she spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the time when Jerusalem would be set free.
39. Joseph and Mary did everything the Law of the Lord required. Then they returned to Galilee. They went to their own town of Nazareth.
40. And the child grew and became strong. He was very wise. He was blessed by God's grace.
41. Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.
42. When he was 12 years old, they went up to the Feast as usual.
43. After the Feast was over, his parents left to go back home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But they were not aware of it.
44. They thought he was somewhere in their group. So they traveled on for a day. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and friends.
45. They did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.
46. After three days they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions.
47. Everyone who heard him was amazed at how much he understood. They also were amazed at his answers.
48. When his parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been worried about you. We have been looking for you everywhere."
49. "Why were you looking for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"