The Boyhood of Jesus
When the child’s parents had done everything enjoined by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was upon him.
Every year the child’s parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover Festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they went according to custom to Jerusalem, and had finished their visit; but, when they started to return, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, without their knowing it. Thinking that he was with their fellow-travellers, they went one day’s journey before searching for him among their relations and acquaintances; and then, as they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching everywhere for him. It was not till the third day that they found him in the Temple Courts, sitting among the Teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions. All who listened to him marvelled at his intelligence and his answers. His parents were amazed when they saw him, and his mother said to him:
“My child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
“What made you search for me?” he answered. “Did not you know that I must be in my Father’s House? “
—Luke.
Jesus devoted nine-tenths of His entire life on earth to His own home, thereby indicating in the most eloquent manner possible what God thinks of the supreme importance of the home.
Don’t Send My Boy Where Your Girl Can’t Go
Don’t send my boy where your girl can’t go
And say, there’s no danger for boys, you know,
Because they all have their wild oats to sow;
There is no more excuse for my boy to be low
Than your girl. Then please don’t tell him so.
Don’t send my boy where your girl can’t go;
For a boy or a girl, sin is sin, you know,
And my baby boy’s hands are as dean and white
And his heart as pure as your girt’s to-night.
—Anon.