37. Then her husband died and she lived alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna never left the Temple. She worshiped God by going without food and praying day and night.
38. She was standing there at that time, thanking God. She talked about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.
39. Joseph and Mary finished doing everything that the law of the Lord commanded. Then they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.
40. The little child began to grow up. He became stronger and wiser, and God’s blessings were with him.
41. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.
42. When Jesus was 12 years old, they went to the feast as they always did.
43. When the feast days were over, they went home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
44. Joseph and Mary traveled for a whole day. They thought that Jesus was with them in the group. Then they began to look for him among their family and 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 with the religious teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and wise answers.
48. When Jesus’ parents saw him, they were amazed. His mother said to him, “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 asked, “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.
51. Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. His mother was still thinking about all that had happened.