Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem 2024 years ago, but you might wonder: where can He be found today and throughout the year?
When Jesus was twelve years old—the age of adulthood at that time—Joseph and Mary took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate this milestone. However, on their return journey to Nazareth, they realized He was missing. They searched anxiously, eventually finding Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening, asking questions, and even offering insightful answers.
When they confronted Him, saying, “Did you not know we were looking for you?” Jesus replied with a thought-provoking question: “Why were you looking for me?” This wasn’t a dismissal of their concern but rather a reminder that finding Him should have been simple. Where else would He be but in His Father’s house?
So, what was Jesus doing in the Temple? Engaging in questions and answers. It is through sincere questioning that we encounter God and grow in understanding.
Mary herself understood the importance of asking questions. Her first recorded words in the Bible are a question to the Angel Gabriel: “How can this be?” when told she would be the mother of the Lord. The Angel’s response empowered her to give her free and wholehearted assent.
The family is the first place where both children and parents learn about life, love, and commitment. It is where we practice listening to one another, expressing thoughts respectfully, navigating disagreements, and seeking greater understanding. Encourage questions within your family and help one another seek answers from trustworthy sources. In doing so, you will discover that God is found not only in answers but in the act of seeking itself.
Please pray for all those who have died recently:
Agnes Baby Varghese (80), Thomas Mani (87), George Kakkassery (75) Thomas Chummar (81) P V Varghese Punnackapadavil (88) Marykutty Mathew (76)
