THE PRESENTATION.
His name was called Jesus, as the angel had commanded, and after forty days they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice, according to the ancient law. And Simeon, waiting for the consolation of Israel, came by the spirit into the temple when the parents brought in the child Jesus; and he took him up into his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." (Luke 2:25-35.) And Anna, a prophetess of great age, coming up at that very hour, gave thanks to God and spake of him to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38.)
Bartolommeo, Plate 18, depicts the moment when Simeon says "Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace"—the Nunc Dimittis of the Latin Church (Luke 2:29). Joseph has the two doves for the offering (Lev. 12:6 and 8). In the distance the priest may be seen at the altar, his robe ornamented with the sacred fringe (Ex. 39:26) that there may be no mistaking him. Anna is present, and is, evidently, about to speak. The steps are of marble and the columns richly carved, because of the words of the artist-disciple recorded in Mark 13:1.
Champaigne, Plate 15, has chosen the moment when Simeon says to Mary, "This child is set for the falling and rising up of many in Israel." (Luke 2:34.)
Borgognone, Plate 16, selects for his picture the last moment, when Simeon returns the child to the mother with the words "Yea, and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul, also." (Luke 2:35.)
Bourdon, Plate 17, represents the instant when Anna arrives (at the extreme left), "coming up at that very hour." (Luke 2:38.)
Bartolommeo, again, Plate 19, adds what he pleases to the original story.
