“A baby will change your life”

And if you don’t believe it, then go get one of your own. The baby Jesus was no less life-changing for Mary and Joseph. In today’s reading you can see how.

Luke 2:21-38

• Circumcision may be advanced as a health issue, it was first introduced to Abraham as a sign of his faith (Genesis 17:12) and obligatory for all males thereafter. Hence Jesus, who was born and lived under the law (Galatians 4:4; Galatians 5:3), needed to be circumcised also (v. 21). On that day, he was officially named Jesus.
• About 5 weeks later he accompanied his mother as she traveled to Jerusalem to offer a post-birth sacrifice for herself (v. 22-23; Leviticus 12:2,6) and to present the 6-week old baby boy to the Lord (Exodus 13:2,12; Ex 22:29; Num 8:17; Leviticus 12:6, 8).
• While Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus were in the Temple (v. 27), Simeon, a just and devout man (v. 25), was led by the Spirit of God to go to the temple, too (v. 27).
• Simeon had been assured by God that he would not die before he’d seen the Savior (v. 26).
• Without doubt, Simeon recognized the baby Jesus as the Savior (v. 29-35).
• Also in the Temple that day, was holy Anna who saw Jesus and praised God (v. 36-38).

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