Luke 2:21–40

²¹When the baby was eight days old, he was circumcised and was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before the baby began to grow inside Mary.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

²²When the time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the law of Moses taught about being made pure, ⁿ they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³(It is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be given to the Lord.”) ^{n 24}Mary and Joseph also went to offer a sacrifice, as the law of the Lord says: “You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons.” ⁿ

Simeon Sees Jesus

²⁵In Jerusalem lived a man named Simeon who was a good man and godly. He was waiting for the time when God would take away Israel’s sorrow, and the Holy Spirit was in him. ²⁶Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord. ²⁷The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to do what the law said they must do, ²⁸Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:

²⁹“Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant,

die in peace as you said.

³⁰With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

³¹which you prepared before all people.

³²It is a light for the non-Jewish people to see

and an honor for your people, the Israelites.”

³³Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him. ³⁴Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, “God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept ³⁵so that the thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too.”

Anna Sees Jesus

³⁶There was a prophetess, Anna, from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years. ³⁷Then her husband died, and she was a widow for eighty-four years. Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night. ³⁸Standing there at that time, she thanked God and spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

Joseph and Mary Return Home

³⁹When Joseph and Mary had done everything the law of the Lord commanded, they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee. ⁴⁰The little child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s goodness was upon him.