“And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:42-46).  In our Gospel lesson this Sunday after Christmas, we encounter a strange story about Jesus as a boy.  He’s been misplaced by those who loved him the most.  Those who were closest to him assumed that he would follow them in their plans and agenda.  Sound familiar?  Have you ever misplaced Jesus?  You figured he was somewhere behind you as you went about accomplishing everything you needed to get done.  Funny isn’t it?  The Gospels record almost nothing about Jesus’ adolescent years.  But we have this story.  Perhaps that is because we need the ongoing reminder that we are (at least I am) prone to assume that Jesus is “somewhere back there” dutifully following along with all our ideas and chosen paths.  Maybe we need the reminder to try to stay behind our Lord rather than to get out in front.  As we close out 2021, I want to resolve to let Jesus do the leading in 2022.  How about you?  Have a great week!