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Christmas Season · Year C

The Holy Family of Jesus: Mary and Joseph

December 26, 2027

Jesus among the Doctors, Albrecht Dürer
Jesus among the Doctors, Albrecht Dürer, 1506Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
Nothing but hands and heads crowded against the picture plane: the boy at the centre counting off his argument on his fingers while the old men press in from every side.After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding.Albrecht DürerDürer, in Venice, who wrote on the panel that he had painted it in five days.Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, MadridThe Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:41-52Lk 2:41-52
Second Reading1 John 3:1-2, 21-241 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24 orCol. 3:12-21Col 3:12-21
First Reading1 Sam. 1:20-22, 24-281 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28 orSir. 3:2-6, 12-14Sir 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial PsalmPs. 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (cf. 5a)Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (cf. 5a)

Overview & Insights

“My eyes have seen your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles.” (Luke 2:30-32)

This scene completes the account of Jesus’s infancy. His circumcision and naming echo those of John in 1:59–63, but, as with the account of his birth, the subsequent incidents are unique, and they lift the reader’s expectations and theological understanding to a higher level. This scene provides the setting for the third of Luke’s canticles in chapters 1–2, Simeon’s song of praise, the Nunc Dimittis. This song, with its explicit recognition that Jesus is to be the Savior of the world, not just of the Jews, brings into the open a theme that so far has been only hinted at.

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Take it further: Luke 2:41-52

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:41-52Commentary on Lk 2:41-52 Working Preacher

A close narrative reading of the boy Jesus in the Temple from Luther Seminary.

Luke 2:41-52Lk 2:41-52 Center for Excellence in Preaching

Preaching-focused notes on Jesus growing in wisdom within ordinary family life.

Luke 2 CommentaryLk 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical walkthrough of the chapter, including the Temple episode.

Luke 2:41 CommentariesLk 2:41 Commentaries BibleHub

A side by side library of classic commentaries on the passage.

Luke 2 (Gill's Exposition)Lk 2 (Gill's Exposition) StudyLight

Gill's full verse by verse notes on the chapter.

Luke 2 (Barnes' Notes)Lk 2 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Barnes' concise nineteenth century notes on the chapter.

Luke 2 CommentaryLk 2 Commentary Precept Austin

A devotional, cross-reference heavy commentary aimed at personal Bible study.

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Cycle C Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

A Catholic Sunday-wide reflection connecting the readings to family life.

The Holy Family Homily Notes Word on Fire · Bishop Barron

Bishop Barron's Catholic voice on the feast, reached from the Word on Fire homepage.

Background & Word Study

Luke 2:41 InterlinearLk 2:41 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the key verbs in the Temple scene.

Luke (Chapters 1-9) OverviewLk (Chapters 1-9) Overview BibleProject

A video walkthrough of Luke's literary design through the opening chapters.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 2Catena on Lk 2 Catena

Patristic comments on the chapter collected verse by verse.

Podcast

Bishop Barron: Freeing Your Family for God Word on Fire

Bishop Barron preaches this Sunday’s Mass readings, including Luke 2:41-52.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

Questions preachers ask

What is the Presentation in the Temple?

Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to be presented to the Lord, where old Simeon takes him up and sings the Nunc Dimittis, and the prophet Anna gives thanks.

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