NATIVITY By Mike Herron

‘ Traditionally, the first stopping place of all traveling parties who left Jerusalem for the north was the ancient Beer, or Beeroth,…ten miles north of Jerusalem, in ancient days, a three- hours’ journey. 1 The women and children, who journeyed at a slower pace, started out earlier and the men joined them in the evening. Every small Israelite village was a strong social and family unit that took responsibility for protecting one another’s children. Jesus, now aware that he was the Messiah innocently stayed behind in Jerusalem to converse with the Rabbis. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Joseph and Mary’s anguish must have intensified as they searched three days for their son. They most likely found Jesus ‘on the terrace where members of the Sanhedrin gave public instruction on Sabbaths and feast-days.’ 2 He was not teaching the Rabbis but listening to their discourses and asking penetrating questions. This was not unusual as questions and answers was the standard method of Jewish instruction. What was unusual was the depth of his understanding ‘ (suniēmi) , comparing and combining ideas together in a skillful manner.’ Jesus gave astounding answers to the Rabbi’s questions causing the most prominent teachers in Israel to be amazed, ‘ (existanto) their continued and repeated astonishment…meaning that they stood out of themselves as if their eyes were bulging out.’ 3 This was a fulfillment of David’s Psalm that celebrated the wonders of God’s word: ‘Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.’ (Ps 119:99, 100) The boy Jesus was clearly on an equal footing with the Rabbis.

48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His