After his miraculous birth, Jesus, the new born king ,was adored and proclaimed by local shepherds and by the wise men.
In accordance with Jewish law and tradition, Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day of his life.
On his 40th day of his life Christ the infant king was taken by Joseph and Mary to the temple in Jerusalem, where he was adored by the elderly “just and devout” Simeon of Jerusalem (literally the God-receiver), who met Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as they entered the Temple.
Simeon had been visited by the Holy Spirit of God, who told him that he would not die until he had seen God’s Holy Messiah, God’s human incarnation, His Christ, who had been promised from the days of old.
On taking Jesus into his arms Simeon uttered a prayer, the Song of Simeon (in Latin the Nunc Dimittis; see Luke 2:29-32), and he gave a prophecy alluding to Jesus’ future crucifixion (Luke 2:25–35):
“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which you have prepared before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel.”
Painting of Simeon Holding the Baby Jesus:
Mary & Joseph then presented the thanksgiving sacrifices that were required to thank God for their firstborn.
The 40th day is also the first day that the recently delivered mother is allowed by Jewish Law to venture out (as presumably her vaginal bleeding has stopped by then), hence the presentation of Christ in the temple is also referred to as the Purification of the Virgin Mary.
In the Anglican tradition this day is remembered 40 days after Christmas (on February 2nd) and that remembrance is called Candlemas and it is the dual observance of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Purification of Saint Mary the Virgin.
