Simeon and Anna Recognize the Child

When the days of their purification are completed, according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary bring Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord and to offer a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. In the temple, a righteous and devout man named Simeon is waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he takes the child in his arms: “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” This child will be “a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel,” but also a sign that will be spoken against: a sword will pierce Mary’s own soul. Then Anna arrives, a prophetess of the tribe of Asher, a widow of eighty-four who never leaves the temple and serves God night and day with fasting and prayer. She gives thanks to God and speaks of Jesus to all who are looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.