Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth with Jesus and their other sons and daughters. Joseph supported the family by working as a carpenter, and he taught them about Jehovah and his Law. The family went to the synagogue regularly to worship and to Jerusalem for the Passover each year.

When Jesus was 12 years old, his family made the long trip to Jerusalem as usual. The city was crowded with people who had come to celebrate the Passover. Afterward, Joseph and Mary began the journey home, thinking that Jesus was traveling with the group. But when they looked for him among their relatives, they couldn’t find him.

They returned to Jerusalem, and for three days, they searched for their son. Finally, they went to the temple. There was Jesus, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening carefully and asking good questions. The teachers were so impressed with Jesus that they began asking him questions. And they were amazed by his answers. They could see that he understood Jehovah’s Law.

Joseph and Mary had been very worried. Mary said: ‘Child, we have been looking everywhere for you! Where have you been?’ Jesus said: ‘Did you not know that I must be here in my Father’s house?’

Jesus went home with his parents to Nazareth. Joseph taught Jesus how to do the work of a carpenter. What sort of person do you think Jesus was as a young man? As he grew up, Jesus increased in wisdom and in favor with God and men.

John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, became a prophet when he grew up. Jehovah used John to teach people that the Messiah was coming. But instead of teaching in synagogues or in towns, John preached in the wilderness. People came from Jerusalem and all over Judea to learn from John. He taught them that to please God, they needed to stop doing bad things. After listening to John, many repented of their sins, and John baptized them in the Jordan River.

John lived a simple life. He wore clothing made of camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey. People were curious about John. Even the proud Pharisees and Sadducees came to see him. John told them: ‘You need to change your ways and repent. Don’t think that you are special just because you say that you are children of Abraham. This does not mean that you are children of God.’

Many came to John and asked: ‘What do we need to do to please God?’ John told the Jews: ‘If you have two coats, give one away to a person who needs it.’ Do you know why he said that? He wanted his disciples to know that to please God, they must love people.

John said to the tax collectors: ‘Be honest and do not cheat anybody.’ He told the soldiers: ‘Do not accept bribes or tell lies.’

Priests and Levites also came to John and asked him: ‘Who are you? Everyone wants to know.’ John said: ‘I am a voice in the wilderness, leading people to Jehovah, just as Isaiah foretold.’

People loved what John was teaching them. Many wondered if John was the Messiah. But he told them: ‘Someone much greater is coming. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. I baptize with water, but he will baptize with holy spirit.’