And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.” And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2.21-35

After a baby’s birth it was customary for Jewish families to go through several ceremonies. Every boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day after birth. The circumcision ceremony was an important event to the family of a Jewish baby boy. It was a time of joy where friends and family members celebrated the baby becoming part of God’s covenant nation. Secondly, we see the redemption of the firstborn. The firstborn was presented to God one month after birth. During this time the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God.

Lastly, we see the purification of the mother. The mother was not permitted in the temple for 40 days after the birth of a son and 80 days after the birth of a daughter. At the end of the time, the parents would bring a lamb as an offering. If they could not afford to bring the lamb, pigeons or doves could be brought instead. Mary and Joseph could not afford the lamb so they brought a pair of doves or pigeons.
It is interesting with Jesus, being God’s son, that His family still chooses to carry out these ceremonies according to God’s law. It was clear from the beginning that Jesus was not above the law rather he came to fulfill it.

When Mary and Joseph were at the temple they met a man named Simeon. This was symbolic because Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. Joseph and Mary were amazed when Simeon told them three things: that Jesus was a gift from God, Simeon recognized Jesus as the Messiah, and he told them the Jesus would be the Light of the world. This Light of the world would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel (see vs. 34-35).

I am thanking God this season for the birth of His son, for the salvation He brings! God has changed our perspective to that of hope and joy because of what He has done!

Weekly Memory Verse: For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1.37