Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
Today, February 2, 2021 is when the Christian Church celebrates the Feast of The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our Lord. The Church remembers the Presentation as it is the first epiphany or revealing of Jesus as the Christ / Messiah.
This post is devoted to one of the Feast Days that the historic Christian Church regularly observed that are generally neglected today. I pray that you find this message beneficial in your devotions this or another day.
“Thirty-two days after Jesus’ circumcision and seventy weeks after the announcement of John’s birth to Zechariah by the angel Gabriel, the Lord comes to His temple to fulfill the Torah (Luke 2:22-38). The days are indeed fulfilled with the presentation. Jesus’ parents keep the Torah and fulfill it by bringing Jesus to His true home. Also, Jesus’ parents offer the alternative sacrifice of two turtledoves or two pigeons. Leviticus 12:8 allows this instead of a lamb, since not everyone could afford a lamb (showing the poverty and humility of Joseph and Mary). Yet no lamb was necessary because already here at forty days old, Jesus is the Lamb brought to His temple for sacrifice. Simeon’s Nunc Dimittis is a beautiful example of the immediate response to this inauguration of God’s consolation and redemption in the Christ Child. Speaking to Mary, Simeon also prophesies about the destiny of the child.” 1
The verse or theme for this feast is “Alleluia. Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel. Alleluia.” It is from Luke 2:34b.
Old Testament 1 Samuel 1:21-28
Psalm Psalm 84 (antiphon v. 4)
Epistle Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel Luke 2:22-40
The hymn appointed for this day is “In His Temple Now Behold Him” as found on page 519 in the Lutheran Service Book. You may listen and sing along with this hymn at this direct link: In His Temple Now Behold Him – YouTube
Collect of the Day:
Almighty and ever-living God, as Your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the Temple in the substance of our flesh, grant that we may be presented to You with pure and clean hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Pastor Jim Tuell
1 Treasury of Daily Prayer, Scot A Kinnaman, General Editor, Concordia Publishing House, Saint Louis, MO., 2008, p, 1176-1177.
