gospel · -5 · Jerusalem
Forty days after the birth Mary and Joseph brought the child to the Temple with the offering of the poor, two turtledoves. Simeon took him in his arms and said 'now let your servant depart in peace', and Anna, eighty-four years a widow, spoke of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. The East keeps it as the Meeting of the Lord.
The Presentation of Jesus is an early episode in the life of Jesus Christ, describing his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem. It is celebrated by many churches on February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas on Candlemas, or the "Feast of the Presentation of Jesus". The episode is described in chapter 2 of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. Within the account, "Luke's narration of the Presentation in the Temple combines the purification rite with the Jewish ceremony of the redemption of the firstborn ."
To fulfil the Law's requirement for a firstborn son.
Simeon and Anna recognise the child; the Nunc dimittis enters the church's daily prayer.