The Presentation of our Lord

Jesus was presented at the Temple after his birth according to Old Testament law (Lev 12). On that occasion the wide-eyed parents of the newborn were met by aged saints who proclaimed the Word of God about this Child consecrated to the Lord that day. The Christmas chord is struck again. Again there is unseeing seeing and unknowable knowing as the Word of God comes to God's people to tell us who the Child is. What no eye has seen or ear heard is set by God upon the lips of St. Simeon. The little Child receives the lullaby of the old man. He is called Savior, the light of the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. Nothing more exalted may be said about this Child, no higher or greater titles may be attributed to Him. The Lord's Christ had suddenly come to his temple as the Lord had promised and as all the prophets of the Old Testament hoped.

Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray

“‘His father and his mother were amazed at the things which were said about him’ (Lk 2:33). What were the amazing things about Jesus and by whom were they said? These are clearly the things which Simeon mentioned immediately before, as he took the infant Jesus in his arms in the temple and said: ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel’ (Lk 2:29–32). Luke says that they were amazed that this aged holy man stood in front of them in the temple, took the infant into his arms and joyously talked about him in such glorious terms, namely, that he should be a light for all the world, a Savior of all people, a glory to all Israel, and that he himself had such a high opinion of him that he would gladly die, having seen the child. It is certainly something to be amazed at, to have such things said there publicly by this eminent man in that public, sacred place. It was, after all, a poor, insignificant baby. The child's mother was poor and humble, and the father Joseph was not rich. How could this infant be regarded as if he were the Savior of all people, the light of all Gentiles, and the honor and glory of all Israel? After the child's true nature became known, all this no longer seems to be so amazing. But when nothing of the sort was known, it did look very strange indeed, and the poor little infant was so greatly unlike the mighty, grand being, as Simeon described him. But Joseph and Mary believed it, which is at once the reason for their amazement. Had they not believed it, Simeon's statements would have been a matter of contempt rather than amazement for them, and they would have appeared false and of no use. Therefore, such amazement glorifies the noble and great faith of both Joseph and Mary….

Martin Luther, Sermon for the Sunday after Christmas