Luke 2:40-52

⁴⁰The child grew strong, and was very wise. God's blessing was with him.

⁴¹Jesus' parents traveled to Jerusalem every year for the Passover festival.

⁴²When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as they always did.

⁴³When the festival had finished and it was time to return home, the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't realize this.

⁴⁴They assumed he was with all the others traveling home. A day passed before they started looking for him among their friends and relatives.

⁴⁵When they couldn't find him they returned to Jerusalem to look for him there.

⁴⁶It was three days before they found him in the Temple. He was sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

⁴⁷All who heard him speak were surprised by his understanding and his answers.

⁴⁸His parents were totally confused when they saw what he was doing. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I—we've been worried sick! We've been looking everywhere for you!”

⁴⁹“Why is it that you were looking for me?” Jesus replied. “Didn't you know I should be here in my Father's house?”

⁵⁰But they didn't understand what he meant.

⁵¹Then he went back with them to Nazareth, and did what he was told. His mother kept a careful note of everything that happened.

⁵²Jesus grew steadily wiser and stronger, favored both by God and by the people.