Luke 2, 22-40

The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 2, 22-40

When the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses,
Jesus’ parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
as it is written in the Law of the Lord,
Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord.
They also came to offer sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord:
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon.
He was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was on Him.
It has been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not die
before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went to the temple.
When the parents brought in the child Jesus
to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what had been said about him.
Simeon blessed them, then said to Mary, his mother,
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel.
And to be a sign that will be spoken against - And a sword will pierce your own soul too,
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was very old; she had loved her husband seven years after her marriage and was then a widow until she was 84.
She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.
Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God
and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom,
and the grace of God was on him.