Twelve years after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth, their hometown, to take Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. They also wanted to register Him in the temple as a 'Bar Mitzva' meaning, 'Son of the Law', because boys of twelve were considered mature enough to keep the commandments.

After the feast His parents set off on the return journey supposing that Jesus was somewhere among the crowd of pilgrims. However, after travelling for a whole day we can imagine their dismay when they realised He was missing. What a lot of worry they brought upon themselves because they had taken His presence for granted.

It was three days before they found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers and listening and asking questions and astonishing them with His understanding and answers. Mary said, "Your father and I have sought you anxiously," but Jesus replied, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" Jesus had been helping his earthly father with his carpenter's business but He wanted them to know that His real purpose in coming to earth was to serve His Heavenly Father.

The Nazareth joiner had not come to mend broken ploughs but broken hearts. He had not come to join pieces of wood but to join people to God! But it was with hammer and nails, the tools of the carpenter, that He was crucified on a wooden cross. Here the world's only sinless man offered Himself up as a perfect sacrifice, thus making forgiveness possible for those who repent and believe. As you enter 2005, don't travel supposing Jesus is with you. Make sure that He's with you now by trusting in Him for pardon and power. Then you'll know His peace in your heart whatever happens. Read the whole story in [ Luke 2:40-52 ].