Luke 2:22-40 (Gospel, Meeting)
- 22
- Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
- 23
- (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”),
- 24
- and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
- 25
- And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- 26
- And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
- 27
- So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
- 28
- he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
- 29
- “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
- 30
- for my eyes have seen Your salvation
- 31
- which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
- 32
- a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
- 33
- And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
- 34
- Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against
- 35
- (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
- 36
- Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
- 37
- and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
- 38
- And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
- 39
- So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
- 40
- And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.