/ listen as you follow along /

Every year, Jesus's family would travel 🧳 to the city 🌆 of Jerusalem for a special celebration called the Passover Feast. 🍱 When Jesus was twelve years old, he went with his mom Mary, his dad Joseph, and many other families from their hometown 🏠 of Nazareth. It was a long journey - they had to walk 🚶 for several days to get there. 

In Jerusalem, there was a magnificent temple ⛪️ that looked like a giant castle. 🏰 It had tall walls made of beautiful white stone, and golden decorations that sparkled in the sunlight. ✨ This was God's special house 🏡 where people came to worship and pray. 🤲 Jesus and his family spent several wonderful days there celebrating 🎉 with everyone.

When the celebration 🥳 was over, all the families started their long journey 🧭 back home. 🏡 In those days, people traveled in big groups for safety, with all their friends and relatives. The children would often walk together, playing games and talking, while the grown-ups walked nearby. Mary thought Jesus was walking 🚶 with his cousins and friends, while Joseph thought he was with Mary. They weren't worried 😟 at first.

But when evening came and everyone stopped to rest, 😌 Mary and Joseph couldn't find Jesus anywhere! 😱 They looked among all their relatives and friends, asking everyone, "Have you seen Jesus?" Their hearts 💞 were beating fast with worry. Their precious son 👦 was missing in the big city! 🌃 

They rushed back to Jerusalem as fast as they could. 🏃🏻‍♀️💨 They looked in the markets where children 👧🏼 might play. They checked the places where travelers 🧳 stayed. 🏨 They asked everyone they met if they had seen a twelve-year-old boy named Jesus. For three 3️⃣ whole days, they searched and searched!

Finally, they decided to look in the temple ⛪️ one more time. And there he was! But Jesus wasn't lost or scared - he was sitting right in the middle of a group of teachers. 👨🏼‍🏫 These were very wise men 🧠 who had studied God's word 📕 their whole lives. Jesus was listening to them carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and even answering their questions! The teachers were amazed 🤩that such a young boy could understand so much about God.

Mary felt relieved but also a little upset. 😭 “Son," she said, "your father and I have been so worried! 😧 We've been searching everywhere for you for three 3️⃣ whole days!"

Jesus looked surprised. 😮 With great respect, he said, "Why were you searching 🔎 for me? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" ⛪️ Jesus was talking about God, his heavenly Father, and how important it was for him to be in the temple learning about God's ways.

42. the wise men / 43. Jesus in the temple as a boy / 44. john baptizing