December 30, 2020 Doves Luke 2:22-32, 36-38
When the days were completed for their purification* according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,”and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel,and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word,for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
(Simeon’s canticle is used every night in the “Office of the Hours”)
Two brought their tiny baby
Within the holy Temple
Offering what the law prescribed
A gift both poor and simple
Two sang their hymns of praise
Hearts full of love and joy
That they had looked upon the face
Of God promise—a baby boy
Two sang their songs of prophecy
To all with ears to hear
Of long awaited redemption
And rise and fall and tears
Two left with many questions
Amazed at the songs sung
To build a life in Nazareth
And raise God’s only son