Luke 2:34-52

34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Listen carefully: This child is destined to be the cause of the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be rejected.

35Indeed, as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well!”

36There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death.

37She had lived as a widow since then for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.

38At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39So when Joseph and Mary had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

41Now Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover.

42When he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.

43But when the feast was over, as they were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,

44but (because they assumed that he was in their group of travelers) they went a day’s journey. Then they began to look for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47And all who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers.

48When his parents saw him, they were overwhelmed. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.”

49But he replied, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

50Yet his parents did not understand the remark he made to them.

51Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.