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Every
year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according
to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were
returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they
were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they
traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their
relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back
to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in
the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them
and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at
his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they
were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you
treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously
searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn't you know
I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand
what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus
grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
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