(a) Highlight the main features in the Lukan account of the birth, the circumcision and the presentation of Jesus in the temple. (b) Give two reasons for th...

Answer Details

(a) Main features of the Lukan account of the birth, circumcision and presentation of Jesus (Luke 2:1-40)

The birth:

• A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled, so Joseph went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the city of David, with Mary his betrothed, who was with child.
• While they were there, the time came for Mary to be delivered, and she gave birth to her first-born son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
• Shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night, and an angel of the Lord appeared, announcing good news of great joy: a Saviour, Christ the Lord, had been born in the city of David. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased."
• The shepherds went with haste, found Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in the manger, and made known the saying; all who heard it wondered, but Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart.

The circumcision:

• At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The presentation in the temple:

• When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
• Simeon, a righteous and devout man to whom it had been revealed that he would not die before seeing the Lord's Christ, took the child in his arms, blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace... for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." He blessed them and told Mary that the child was set for the fall and rising of many in Israel and that a sword would pierce her own soul.
• Anna, an aged prophetess who worshipped with fasting and prayer night and day, also came and gave thanks to God and spoke of the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
• When they had performed everything according to the law, they returned to Nazareth, and the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favour of God was upon him.

(b) Two reasons for the rituals of circumcision and temple presentation

• To fulfil the requirements of the Law of Moses: Circumcision on the eighth day and the presentation and purification offering were commands of the Jewish law, showing that Jesus was born under the law and that his parents were devout, law-keeping Jews.
• To mark the child's dedication and covenant relationship with God: Circumcision was the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants, admitting the child into the covenant people, while the presentation dedicated the first-born son to God as belonging specially to Him.