Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
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The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple was an early episode of the life of Jesus. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Presentation is a feast celebrated on 2 February and is the fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the Church of England, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple is a Principal Feast celebrated on 2 February. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts.
[edit] Scripture
The event is described in the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40). According to the gospel, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to dedicate him to God, in line with Jewish law of the time.
Upon bringing Jesus to the temple, the family encountered Simeon; the gospel records that Simeon had been promised "he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord." (Luke 2:26) Simeon prayed the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, and prophesied regarding Jesus. The prophetess Anna (Bible) was also in the temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus.
[edit] Liturgical celebration
In the Liturgical calendar the Presentation of the Lord falls on February 2, forty days after Christmas.
The feast is also known as Candlemas, or the Purification of the Virgin, as it also celebrates Mary's return to ritual purity after giving birth, in accord with the prescriptions of Judaic Law. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has put more emphasis on the Prophecy of Simeon and discouraged the use of these alternative names. Pope John Paul II has connected the feast day with the renewal of religious vows.
[edit] See also
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