THE PRESENTATION
According the law of Moses, every firstborn male was to be brought into the temple to be dedicated to God on the fortieth day after birth. At that time a sacrifice of thanksgiving was also brought.
The Holy Mother of God followed this law, even though she knew that the Child was the Son of God. Thus Joseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus into the temple on the fortieth day along with a humble sacrifice of two young pigeons.
Led by the Holy Spirit into the temple on the day that the holy family brought the Child Jesus to fulfill the law, Simeon took the Child into his arms and blessed God saying that he could now depart in peace because “my eyes have seen Your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32)
When they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, Joseph and Mary returned to Galilee to their own city, Nazareth.
The Presentation is celebrated on February 2.