Sister of Jesus

Chapter Two: Jesus is Found

Three days passed as Anna and James waited with Elizabeth, Zacharias, and John for Mary and Joseph to return with Jesus. The rest of the caravan had moved on. While James went and played, pretending to be God's mightiest warrior, John sat with Anna and told her stories to comfort her. He told her the stories of the Great King David, and of the brave Daniel, and Queen Esther. Anna always listened intently. John was a great story teller.

Finally, in the distance, Anna saw her Momma and Papa walking up the hill and then Jesus came into view. Anna squealed with delight and ran to give him a hug.

"Jesus!" She screamed in delight. "Where were you? You scared me!" Anna scolded.

"I was about my Father's business." Jesus said sincerely. Anna looked at him, puzzled.

"But something bad could have happened to you!"

"My time has not yet come." Jesus responded, taking her hand and walking to the camp. Mary and Joseph were conversing with Elizabeth and Zacharias. 

Soon both families packed up and walked back home to Nazareth. John, Anna, and Jesus walked closely together. James walked on ahead, wishing to avoid Jesus at all costs. 

"Jesus, how come James does not like you?" Anna asked. Jesus looked into her eyes and smiled a sad smile.

"He does not know what true love is yet, but one day in the near future he will." Jesus answered. 

"We must continue to love James though." John commented. Jesus nodded in agreement. 

"Where did Momma and Papa find you?" Anna questioned Jesus.

"I was in the temple." was his simple reply. Anna remained silent for the rest of the day. Her little mind could not quite comprehend what Jesus said, but she did not care. She had Jesus back and he was safe. 

That night, Anna sat in between Jesus and Joseph, enjoying her meal when James decided to sneak a bug onto her plate. Anna screamed and dropped her food onto the ground.

"What is wrong, Anna?" Her Papa asked.

"There was a bug!" Anna squealed, climbing into his lap. James snorted, trying to hold his laughter in. Anna glared at him. 

"James?" Joseph looked at him sternly.

"It was all Jesus!" James pointed a finger on him. 

"Jesus?"

"It was not I, Father." Jesus answered. He continued to eat, not fazed by what happened. 

"It was James, Papa. Jesus would never do that to me." Anna declared. 

"It was not Papa! I did not do anything!" James lied. 

"James!" Mary scolded. "That is enough. Now sit there like a good boy and eat your dinner!" James crossed his arms in anger and sat there pouting. After a few moments, he stalked off a little ways to cool down. Anna crawled off and gazed over at her spoiled food. That was all there was for dinner. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Here, Anna. Take mine." Jesus handed her his food. 

"But what about you? Will you not be hungry?" Jesus shook his head and smiled. Anna leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you." 

"You are welcome, Anna." Jesus stood and went to grab some more wood for the fire. Anna watched him go, glad he returned to the family where he belonged.