Today, February 2nd, marks the 40th day of the Christmas/Epiphany Season, when the church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the purification of the Virgin Mary. In the Atrium of the Early Learning Program at St. Benedict Classical Academy, children deepen their relationship with God through moments of contemplation and prayer.

The Atrium, home to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious education program at our Schoolhouse, includes a lesson on the Presentation of the Lord. This lesson highlights the paradox of light between the power of the Almighty God and how He is present in the smallness of an infant. The awe continues in real and extraordinary moments of recognition by Simeon and Anna. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the fulfillment of all Israel’s hopes was found in a single child.

It is a true gift to be a guide in the atrium and to walk with the child and listen to the Word of God together. In this lesson, there are small, handmade, and child-sized figurines of the key characters and symbols that are presented to the child during the lesson. There is a 3D model of the temple, the Holy Family, Simeon and Anna (who are purposely made with grey hair to portray their old age), and a small basket with two turtle doves. The catechist guides the child to set up their workspace with the materials for the lesson on a work mat. The catechist and child will guide the beautiful, minimalistic materials around the scene, as is stated in the reading. Then the catechist and child sit together as she opens up the Holy Bible, lights a candle, and reads:

According to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord (Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus enter),
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 (Joseph and Mary offer a pair of turtledoves, which signifies their poverty and obedience to the Law). 

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon (Enter 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 Christ 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 (the Simeon figure holds baby Jesus) 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 the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people, Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
“Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
– and you yourself a sword will pierce –
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years, (enter Anna)
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.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.

As the catechist reads from Holy Scripture and invites the child to interact with this scene in real time, much like in lectio divina, the child and catechist are able to enter into the moment and come alive within it. Wondering questions are shared, and there is time to contemplate, share outloud, and pray about the reading. The materials themselves are even made for the children through the work of the catechist. Entering into the reading, we are invited to share in the awe and wonder of the Presentation of the Lord, the Light, and in the obedience of Mary and Joseph, as well as Simeon and Anna, advanced in age, who recognized Jesus as the “Light of the World” and the “glory of the people” belonging to God.

The Word of God is living and true. Let us continue to contemplate the Word of God and enter into His wonderful mystery!

AUTHOR: Teresa Thekaekara, Early Learning Lead Teacher