The Christ Child is Presented at the Temple

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge vowed “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” I am going to keep Christmas all the year by remembering my Savior and studying His life each week. Scrooge isn’t the only one who can make a change for the better. I can and you can. Elder Richard G. Scott promised, “The best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life” (“He Lives! All Glory to His Name!”). Please join me and invite your family and friends to join us in keeping Christmas all the year.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. (Luke 2:22-39.)

Points to Ponder:
  1. What are some of the sacrifices you have made for the Lord that have purified you and blessed you?
  2. Simeon waited patiently for the Lord. Think of an experience when you waited for the Lord to console you or bless you. Was it worth the wait?
  3. Simeon “came by the Spirit” to the temple to see Jesus and Anna came “in that instant.” Do you remember a time when you came somewhere by the Spirit and were so blessed that you “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord” for that moment of light in your life?

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