Bouguereau, Plate 10, adds to the story a dramatic touch. There are ominous shadows in the background. Mary seems troubled by the presence of the lamb, symbol of sacrifice. The angel had said "He shall save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21.) Does Mary seem already to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world? (John 1:29.) One lamb is already slain, and lies in the foreground. The shepherd with the lamb in his arms may unconsciously illustrate the Christ (Is. 40:11), and the odd disk above the head of the older shepherd, catching the light from the child, may be prophetic of saintly glory.
Müller, Plate 12, gives us perhaps the prettiest, most sweetly human group of all. Some of the shepherds have arrived, others are coming; one with a lamb in his arms, another with his dogs, who seem to sympathize with their master's joyous haste. The rose of the hills, and the violet of the meadows are there as symbols of the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley (Cant. 2:1); "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib," and in this case the humble representatives of Israel know also, and the people consider. (Is. 1:3.)
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.)