Presenting Christ in the Temple for Circumcision

Presentation of Christ in the Temple

“The Meetin g of our Lord”

In the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the Old and New Testaments “meet.” Christ, the Founder of the Law, submits Himself under the Law in order to fulfill it. Simeon, witness to this event, was one of the Seventy scholars appointed by Ptolemy II, king of Alexandria, to translate the Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek language, a translation now known as the Septuagint. According to tradition, as Simeon was translating Isaiah's prophesy “Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Child” (Is. 7:14), he wanted to write “a woman” instead of “a virgin,” but he received a revelation that he would not see death until this very prophesy should be fulfilled before his very eyes.

St. Luke relates to us that Simeon, holding and worshiping Christ in his arms, said: “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Lk. 2:22-40).

An ancient hymn for the feast proclaims: “Hail O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, from you rose the Son of Righteousness, Christ our God; He has enlightened those in darkness. Rejoice, O righteous elder, you received in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, Who grants us the Resurrection.”

In the icon, St. Mary is handing her Son over to Simeon as though to the whole world. St. Joseph carries the prescribed sacrifice of purification, “two turtledoves” or “two young pigeons” (Lev. 12:8) - symbolic of the Church of Israel and the Church of the Gentiles. Moses received the tablets of the Law, but Simeon received the Son of God in Whose Incarnation the “shadow” is replaced by the full reality of God’s presence with His people. The Old Testament people, personified by Simeon, reached their fulfillment. Anna, the prophetess, is also presented as she announces Christ to be the Creator of heaven and earth to those in the Temple.

The Gospel of Luke 2:21-35

Circumcision of Jesus

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting 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. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”