There are only four recorded events in the young life of Jesus: The Presentation in the Temple, The Visit of the Wise Men, The Flight into Egypt, and The Finding in the Temple.

According to Jewish law, all first-born males were presented to the priest in the Temple when they were eight days old. So, to fulfill the law, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple. Then, sometime within the next couple of years, after traveling a couple of years and hundreds of miles, the Wise Men finally find Jesus. Next, when Herod learns of the birth, he orders all baby boys under two years old to be killed. That’s when Joseph and Mary take the child and flee to Egypt for safety. Years later, when Jesus’ family is in Jerusalem celebrating Passover, Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus on their way home. When they realize that Jesus is missing, they return to the Temple, and there they find Jesus, beginning the work that he was destined to do.

Those four events in the childhood life of Jesus, whenever and wherever they occurred, prepared the people of God for His ministry ahead — three short years. But they will be filled with teachings, miracles, and anything we need to know about being the best we can be. So, expect to learn something new. God will surely use your Sunday experience to lift your countenance and grow your faith. On that, you can be assured!

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.