The Dedication

Mary and Joseph rose early. The manger birth was a fading memory. The small family had moved into their own house in Bethlehem. It was time to bring a sin offering and a burnt offering to the house of worship.

With Bethlehem so near Jerusalem, they decided to go to the temple to make these offerings for Mary’s purification. Jesus was already active. Mary long ago had given up on the swaddling clothes that held him so tight.  He wiggled out of those and enjoyed free hands and feet. Already he was cooing and laughing and even crying when he was hungry or uncomfortable.

Joseph loaded the donkey with food and extra clothing for the baby. Last of all he tied on a small crate that held two pigeons. These small birds would be the sacrifice for Mary’s cleansing. The burnt offering called for a year old lamb without spot or blemish, but Joseph and Mary were too poor to own a lamb so one of the pigeons would be offered as a burnt offering.

With Baby Jesus wrapped warmly to shut out the damp morning air, Mary and Joseph sat out for the temple in Jerusalem. The journey was pleasant. Along the way, they encountered merchants with fruits and vegetables; fabrics and perfumes, hurrying on their way to set up in the streets of Jerusalem. Some even led bleating lambs taken from their mother to be sold in the temple. Seeing the doves swinging from the donkey’s saddle, most merchants perceived their lowly position and left the young family alone.

The streets of Jerusalem were busy. Merchants were chanting their sales pitch, peddling their wares in whatever vacant space they could find. Resident merchants swept the entry to their shops, squinting in the sunlight at the lowly couple entering the city on a donkey. Children ran past them kicking up dust, dislodging stones and chasing pets. Oxen pulled wagons and carts past them, pushing them to the side of the stony streets of the city. Mounted Roman soldiers often crossed their path or trotted mercilessly close to them leaving a cloud of dust and the foul smell of horses.

The temple mount was in view. The noon sun washed the temple buildings in silvery white. Joseph tied the donkey to a tree and gave him a handful of straw and water. Then taking the cage of doves from the donkey’s saddle; he, Mary, and Jesus climbed the steps leading to the Temple. Once at the top of the temple mount, the noise, and smell of the city faded away. A warm breeze swept across the plaza and on it rode the mingled smell of burning wood and flesh interjected with an occasional fragrance of incense. Somehow this strange combination of odors brought a feeling of peace and reconciliation. This was the fragrance of repentance, sacrifice and forgiveness.

The Temple mount was a bustling place. Money changers sat in their booths, shouting out the latest exchange on currency. The plaza was filled with the noise of bleating goats and sheep and the mooing of cattle. Dirty shepherds and herdsmen led their animals around by bits and rough ropes, thoughtlessly belching out prices for their animals. Families with goats, lambs and doves slowly made their way to the high priest. A child in tears clung to a favored lamb brought for sacrifice.

Joseph and his cage of small birds fell in line with those showing their offering to the high priest. Mary held Jesus tightly in the vast unfamiliar place. Priests and servants passed with hardly a glance. Individuals and families engulfed her and then pushed by with their gifts and offerings to the priest; some humble and small, others with the finest animals Mary had ever seen.

Mary and Joseph hardly noticed him until they were face to face with the old man. His long white hair and beard hung in tangled knots and his clothing was worn but clean. His sandaled feet were dusty, knobby and swollen with age. But there was light in his eyes.  He reached for Mary’s child and without thinking she laid him in the folds of his ragged robe.

Then he spoke, praising God and saying, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

You see, it had been revealed to the old man, Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Christ.

Then Simeon blessed the couple and said to Mary, “This child is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against and the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And, a sword will pierce your own soul as well.”

He gently laid the baby back in Mary’s arms and turning, his stooped body disappeared into the crowd. And in his shadow stood a woman, Anna. Her body was warped with age but a joyful mind and spirit was evident  as she gazed upon the baby Jesus. She blessed them and then quietly slipped back to the comfort and shelter of the temple chambers.

 Mary with Joseph offered the doves for her cleansing and as a sacrifice for their sin. Mary shivered even though the noon sun was warm on her shoulders. With their duty done toward God, the young couple made their way with the small baby back to Bethlehem. But Mary was silent. Her heart was troubled by the words of those who had briefly crossed her path. Many anxious thoughts troubled her spirit.