The Presentation in the Temple Painting by Philippe de Champaigne, 1648

Are you seeking more joy at this time?  Join our podcast at the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Anna and Simeon will show you how to find joy and consolation today and everyday.

At the Temple

Welcome to Advent JOY Podcast #7, based on my book The Joy Of Advent: Journey With The People, Events, and Prayers At The First Coming Of Jesus Christ.  Today, we travel with Mary and Joseph to the Temple and the Presentation of the Lord. There we meet Anna and Simeon for this very special event. We will cover the following points:

Circumcised, Redeemed, and Purified (Luke 2: 21-23)

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• At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Old Testament Mosaic Law required every firstborn Jewish male to be circumcised at 8 days after birth
  
• The naming of the baby took place at the same time as the circumcision.
  
• Mary and Joseph by divine appointment knew what the Child was to be called. And so “He was named Jesus” which means the Lord saves- the name told to both Mary and Joseph via an angel (Luke 1: 30 and Matthew 1: 20).
  

Jesus Came to Fulfill All the Law (Luke 2: 23-24)

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• Now, forty days after Jesus’ birth,  Joseph and Mary again follow the Mosaic Law for the Presentation of Jesus in the temple and Mary’s Purification. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said He came to “fulfill the law,” which begins at His birth.
  
• For Mary’s Purification, the sweet Blessed Mother of humble means offers “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” which Leviticus 12: 8 prescribed for a new mother who could not afford a sheep to offer.
  

The Presentation or Redemption of Jesus (Luke 2: 25-38)

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• This “redemption of the firstborn” meant that the parents redeemed Jesus or bought Him back from God. Isn’t it amazing that almost 33 years later, it would be Jesus who would pay the price for our redemption by dying on the cross?
  
• The Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord on February 2 every year. The readings also appear near December 29th during the Christmas season.
  

Simeon & Anna

Although their lives differed, Simeon and Anna had much in common.

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2. Both Simeon and Anna were described as deeply spiritual people. They loved the Lord, practiced their faith, and did not allow themselves to become bitter or decrepit with the times.
   
3. Both were “senior citizens” active in serving God. Pope Francis says of the Presentation:  It is a meeting between the young, who are full of joy in observing the Law of the Lord, and the elderly who are full of joy in the action of the Holy Spirit. It is a unique encounter between observance and prophecy, where young people are the observers and the elderly are prophets! (The Feast of the Presentation, Vatican, 2-2-2014).  
   
4. Both knew the Scriptures.
   
5. Both believed in the Scriptures and were looking for the Messiah. Bible scholars and theologians say Jesus has fulfilled at least 300 Old Testament prophecies.
   
6. Both were looking forward with HOPE. The words looking for indicate they were actively waiting for the Savior with hope.
   
7. Both worshiped, prayed, and adored God. Their eyes went more to God than to the news of the day. That brought consolation.
   
8. The Spirit of God guided both.
   
9. Both Simeon and Anna recognized the Messiah.
   
10. Both received Jesus and were changed.
    
11. Both Simeon and Anna received a message about Jesus from the Holy Spirit, and they shared it.
    

Simeon’s Prayer – The Nunc Dimittis Reflects Isaiah’s Prophecies (Luke 2: 29-32)

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• Simeon’s prayer is one of the Church’s great prayers, or canticles (little songs). It is called the Nunc Dimittis because v. 29 in the Latin translation of the Bible begins with the words “Nunc Dimittis,” which means “now dismiss your servant.” In other words, Simeon was saying to the Lord, “Now I am ready to die; you can dismiss me, Lord; I have seen the Savior.”
  
• Every evening, all priests, religious, and laypeople who pray the Liturgy of the Hours pray the Nunc Dimittis prayer.
  
• Today and every day, you can pray the Nunc Dimittis from Luke 2: 29-30.
  

Personal Reflection & Application

Why not spend some time with these verses of Luke 2?

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• Reflect on the lives of Simeon & Anna who practiced their faith, were filled with joy in the Holy Spirit, knew the Scriptures, looked for the Savior in hope, praised and adored the Lord daily, were guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized the Messiah, received Jesus and were changed plus shared the message of Jesus with others. Ask the Lord how you can be filled with Holy Spirit as they were.
  
• Using your holy imagination, see yourself receiving Jesus from Mary’s arms as Simeon did.
  
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  2. Look into the face of Jesus and give Him your shame and sadness.
     
  3. In exchange, receive His Love and JOY. Jesus has come for YOU. You will be consoled.
     
  4. Like Anna, praise God because you have seen the Savior of the World. He has come to give You JOY. In John 15: 11, Jesus says he gives you His joy that “your joy may be complete.”
     
  5. Receive peace & consolation. Luke 2: 14 says Jesus comes to give Peace on earth, good will toward to ALL.  He has come to give you peace so pause and receive His peace and His comfort.
     
  
  
  

Related Posts – The Seven-Part Series ~ A Joyful Advent Journey

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  A Joyful Advent Journey #1 ~ The JOY of Zechariah: God Answers Prayer  You will meet Zechariah, Elizabeth, the Blessed Virgin and…
  
  
• A Joyful Advent Journey #2  ~ The Annunciation & Nothing is Impossible with God.  Join Gabriel as He visits Mary and reminds us that nothing is impossible with God…
  
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  A Joyful Advent Journey #3 ~ The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth & Sharing Joy  We travel with Mary down the 90-mile road from Nazareth to the Hill Country…
  
  
• A Joyful Advent Journey #4 ~ The Birth of John the Baptist & Joyous Benedictus Prayer   Zechariah teaches us to seek God in stillness. His son John is born;his muteness leaves and he sings the joyous Benedictus prayer.
  
• A Joyful Advent Journey #5 ~ Joseph Takes Mary for His Wife & Joyously Accepts God’s Plans! Joseph shows us how God can help us most when we exchange our plans for His!
  
• A Joyful Advent Journey #6~ Jesus Christ is Born – Join the Chorus of Angels & Shepherds   You will receive more joy and peace as you too worship the Savior.
  
• A Joyful Advent Journey #7 ~ The Presentation: Anna & Simeon Show the Way to Consolation & Joy  Recognize the Savior, praise Him and receive His Joy and consolation.
  

Links

Cup of JOY & Free Materials. A Cup of Joy small group study accompanies each podcast series. All materials are FREE. Read more on hosting a CUP of JOY Women or Cup of JOY Gathering small group.

For bookmarks or prayer points from A Joyful Advent Journey Podcast, go to: WRAPYourselfinJOY.com.

Check out more podcasts here!

Click here for the Advent book: The Joy of Advent: Journey with the People, Events and Prayers at the First Coming of Jesus Christ.

Other Joy Books by Karen.

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