'Litany of Wonder' for the First Sunday After Christmas Day, Dec. 30, 2018

Gather together and read aloud the Bible passage.

Luke 2:41-52

41 “Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. 43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ 49 He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.”

Discuss: What do you notice about this passage that surprises you? What about it is not surprising? What else in this passage caught your attention?

Pray this litany responsively.

Litany of Wonder

One: Gracious God, thank you for teaching us with Jesus how to understand you and your commandments.

All: Make us curious and wise as we read the Bible and learn more from you each day.

One: Like Mary and Joseph, sometimes we search in the wrong places for Jesus.

All: Renew us as we return to share in worship and friendship with our congregation.

One: Thank you for the loyalty and love we see in Jesus’ relationship with his parents.

All: Send your Spirit to help us grow more faithful and kind to our family and friends.