Christmas Devotion Fourteen - Mary and Joseph Present Jesus at the Temple

Forty days after his birth,Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. They were obeying religious laws that Moses had given the Israelities long before. They went to dedicate their firstborn son to God and to offer sacrifices.

Read Luke 2:21-40 Jesus presented in the Temple

JUST THE FACTS
1. Why did Mary and Joseph go to Jerusalem? (vv. 22-24)
2. How did Msry and Joseph react to what Simeon said? (v. 33)
3. How old was Simeon and Anna waiting for? What kind of people were they?

LET'S TALK
1. How did Simeon's lessing confirm who Jesus was?
Why did Mary and Joseph marvel at what was said about their son?
2. What were Simeon and Anna waiting for? What kind of people were they?

WHY THIS MATTERS
Simeon and Anna were faithful people with hearts that were open to God. Even though Jesus was very young, it was clear to Simeon and Anna that he was the Messiah the Jewish people had been waiting and hoping for.

POINTS OF INTEREST
2:24 To observe the Law of Moses, a woman who had given birth to a son was to wait 40 days; then she was to sacrifice a lamb and either a dove or pigeon, she was allowed to bring two doves or two pigeons