Feast of Presentationof Jesus Feb. 2

[John Reilly]

I noticed in the lectionary this week that Feb. 2 is the Feast of the Presentation.
Now this seems late in the church calendar to me.
I am thinking of using Luke 2: 22-40 this Sunday and talking about the Presentation of Jesus int he Temple.
Why is this Feast so late after Christmas?
Any thoughts?

Luke 2:22-40
2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord

2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"),

2:24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.

2:27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,

2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

2:29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;

2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

2:31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

2:33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.

2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed

2:35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

2:36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,

2:37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.

2:38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

2:39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

2:40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

[Susan Unger]

Here is what Wikipedia says

The event is described in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22–40). According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days (inclusive) after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, in obedience to the Law of Moses (Leviticus 12, Exodus 13:12-15, etc.). Luke explicitly says that Joseph and Mary take the option provided for poor people (those who could not afford a lamb) (Leviticus 12:8), sacrificing "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Leviticus 12:1-4 indicates that this event should take place forty days after birth for a male child, hence the Presentation is celebrated forty days after Christmas. This ceremony is still practiced by Orthodox and Conservative Jews and is called a Pidyon HaBen.

[Susan Unger]

The article in Wikipedia also suggests that if one hasn't finished taking down the Christmas decorations, tonight's THE night to take them down.

"Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and mistletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all,
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas Hall"

—Robert Herrick (1591–1674), "Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve"

As the poem by Robert Herrick records, the eve of Candlemas was the day on which Christmas decorations of greenery were removed from people's homes; for traces of berries, holly and so forth will bring death among the congregation before another year is out.

[John Reilly]

SO eight days after his birth he was circumcised. Then forty days after his birth he was presented in the temple. v.21 is separate time frame from v.22.

[Susan Unger]

SO eight days after his birth he was circumcised. Then forty days after his birth he was presented in the temple. v.21 is separate time frame from v.22.

'Twould appear that way.

[John Reilly]

SO three ancient ceremonies are observed, circumcision which was so sacred it could be done on the SABBATH, presentation of the first born male, purification of the mother. Jesus may have created new wine and new wine skins but his life was immersed in tradition.

[John Kennedy]

SO three ancient ceremonies are observed, circumcision which was so sacred it could be done on the SABBATH, presentation of the first born male, purification of the mother. Jesus may have created new wine and new wine skins but his life was immersed in tradition.

"....his life was immersed in tradition".........

Far more than many in His church are willing to acknowledge...

[John Reilly]

"....his life was immersed in tradition".........

Far more than many in His church are willing to acknowledge...

John, The danger is dismissing tradition is that often people also dismiss doctrine. The contemporary church lacks power because it also ignore important doctrine.