For Parents

Teaching Your Children about the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord

The story of the Lord's presentation to the temple is told in the Gospel of Luke 2:21-40.  Read the story from the Bible, and have your kids think about the following points during the different parts of the story. 

Then see if your children can answer the questions on the worksheet.  There are no right or wrong answers, but have each child explain why they chose the one they did.  Discussions like these will both educate your children in our faith and strengthen your family's relationships.

Luke 2:21-23

Jewish families went through several ceremonies soon after a baby's birth.  One was circumcision, when every boy was circumcised and named on the eighth day after his birth, symbolizing the Jews' separation form Gentiles and their relationship with God.

Through the ceremony of redemption of the firstborn, the firstborn sons were presented to God one month after birth.  The ceremony included buying back -- redeeming -- the child from God through an offering.  Thus the parents acknowledged that the child belonged to God.

The mother also went through a purification ceremony 40 days after giving birth to a son and 90 days after giving birth to a daughter.  During this ceremony parents brought offerings to the temple. 

Jesus, though the Son of God, was not above these religious laws, and so Mary and Joseph took Him to be presented at the temple.

Luke 2:28-32

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to God, they met an old man who told them what their child would become.  Simeon could die in peace now, because he had seen the Messiah.

Luke 2:32

The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's blessings to their nation.  They did not always give equal attention to the prophecies saying He would bring salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews.  Many thought He had come to save his own people.  Luke made sure his audience understood that Jesus came to save all who believe.

Luke 2:33

Joseph and Mary marveled for three reasons: Simeon said Jesus was a gift from God; he recognized him as the Messiah; and he said Jesus would be a light to the entire world.

This was at least the second time that Mary was greeted with a prophecy about her son.  The first was when Elizabeth had welcomed her as the mother of her Lord.

Luke 2:34-35

Simeon prophesied that with Jesus, there would be no neutral ground that people would either joyfully accept him or totally reject him.  As Jesus' mother, Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection He would face.  This is the first note of sorrow in Luke's Gospel.

Luke 2:36

Although Simeon and Anna were very old, they still hoped to see the Messiah.  Led by the Holy Spirit, they were among the first to bear witness to Jesus.  In the Jewish culture, elders were respected, and Simeon and Anna's prophecies carried extra weight because they were old. 

Our society, however, values youthfulness over wisdom, and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored.  As Christians, we should reverse those values wherever we can and encourage older people to share their wisdom and experience.  Listen carefully when they speak.  Offer them your friendship and help them find ways to continue to serve God.

Luke 2:36-37

Anna was called a prophetess, indicating she was unusually close to God.  Prophets and prophetesses did not necessarily predict the future.  Their main role was to speak for God, proclaiming the truth.

Luke 2:39

Did Mary and Joseph return immediately to Nazareth, or did they remain in Bethlehem for a time?  Apparently there is a gap of several years between verses 38 and 40 -- ample time for them to take a house in Bethlehem, flee to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath, and return to Nazareth when it was safe to do so

Luke 2:40

Jesus demonstrated wisdom beyond His years, which is not surprising since He stayed in close contact with His heavenly Father.  James 1:5 tells us God "is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him."  Like Jesus, we can grow in wisdom by walking with God.