Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
In the temple courts an old man took the baby Jesus in his arms and declared that his eyes had seen God's salvation.
When the days of Mary's purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, about forty days after the birth, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, offering 'A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons,' the sacrifice the law allowed for families who could not afford a lamb. In the temple they met Simeon, a just and devout man to whom the Holy Ghost had revealed that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Taking the child in his arms, Simeon blessed God: 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' He called the child a light to lighten the Gentiles and warned Mary that a sword would pierce through her own soul. Then the aged prophetess Anna, who served God with fastings and prayers night and day, gave thanks and spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Did You Know?
Turtledoves or young pigeons were the offering Leviticus 12 allowed when a family 'be not able to bring a lamb.'
Simeon's song is known as the Nunc Dimittis, from its opening words in Latin.
Anna, of the tribe of Aser, was 'a widow of about fourscore and four years.'
Key Passage
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:22-38
22nd when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Meanwhile in the World
The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.