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Christmas · Year B

First Sunday after Christmas

December 27, 2026

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Vittore Carpaccio
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Vittore Carpaccio, 1510Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
A Venetian altarpiece with three musician angels on the step below, one of them a boy with a lute, painted with Carpaccio's usual love of textiles.My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.Vittore CarpaccioA Venetian narrative painter whose cycles of saints' lives are also the best surviving record of what Venice looked like.Gallerie dell'Accademia, VeniceVenice's own collection of Venetian painting, in a former church and convent complex at the foot of the wooden bridge.Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleGal. 4:4-7Gal 4:4-7
Old TestamentIsa. 61:10-62:3Is 61:10-62:3
PsalterPs. 111Ps 111

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 2:22-40

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 2:22-40Commentary on Lk 2:22-40 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary exegesis reading the Presentation as Jesus born a Jew among Jews within the covenant, the RCL page for this exact passage.

Luke 2:22-40 CommentaryLk 2:22-40 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Simeon, Anna, and the sword that will pierce Mary's soul.

Luke 2 Commentary: The Childhood of JesusLk 2 Commentary: The Childhood of Jesus Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's evangelical verse-by-verse walk through the temple presentation and the witnesses Simeon and Anna.

Luke 2:22 CommentariesLk 2:22 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries (Barnes, Gill, Ellicott, Meyer) aggregated verse by verse for the purification and presentation.

Meeting Simeon and Anna in the Temple (Luke 2:21-38)Meeting Simeon and Anna in the Temple (Lk 2:21-38) JesusWalk · Ralph Wilson

Ralph Wilson's study of the two temple witnesses, useful for character and devotional preparation.

The Presentation of the Lord Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic reflection and household activities on the presentation Gospel for all ages.

Background & Word Study

Enter the Bible: LukeEnter the Bible: Lk Enter the Bible

Luther Seminary background on Luke's authorship, audience, and infancy narrative structure.

Luke 1-9 OverviewLk 1-9 Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of the first half of Luke that frames the temple scenes of chapter 2.

Luke 2:22 InterlinearLk 2:22 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing and Strong's numbers for the purification and presentation vocabulary.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Luke 2Catena: Lk 2 Catena

Patristic and medieval comment gathered verse by verse on the presentation and Simeon's Nunc Dimittis.

Sermons & Reflections

The Presentation of Jesus - Luke 2:22-40The Presentation of Jesus - Lk 2:22-40 Gary Neal Hansen

Presbyterian per-text essay drawing out the faithfulness of Simeon and Anna as models of waiting.

Worship & Prayers

First Sunday after Christmas Day The Lectionary Page

Collect, psalm, and appointed readings for the day in the Episcopal (BCP) tradition.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition (First Sunday after Christmas, Year B) Vanderbilt

Curated artwork from Vanderbilt's collection paired with the readings for this Sunday.

Study Hub

Luke 2:22-40 (Textweek)Lk 2:22-40 (Textweek) Textweek

Master index of commentaries, sermons, art, and liturgy links for this Gospel across the web.

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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