Greyson's Dedication Service

December 24, 2011

Text: Luke 2:22-32

Jewish males were circumcised 8 days after they were born after which a Hebrew mother was required to remain at home for about forty days after the birth of a male child and about eighty days for a female, and during that time she was considered impure. Lev 12:3-4 and Luke 2:22 confirms this time as the "days of purification."

When the "days of purification" ended the parents would take the baby to the Temple. The mother would offer a sacrifice for herself. Those who were able on such an occasion were required to offer a lamb for a burnt-offering, and a pigeon or a turtle-dove for a sin-offering. If unable to bring a lamb, then they were permitted to bring two turtle-doves or two young pigeons according to Le 12:6-8.

After the offering the baby was presented to the Lord:

Verse 22 – Presentation

Verse 23 – Dedication (the dedication was based on Ex 13:2, "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.")

Sanctify means to consecrate or to set apart unto the Lord. The Lord basically said in Ex 13:2 - I want every male…Mary & Joseph came to present the Christ-child to that end…

The public presentation/dedication service demonstrates 2 important thoughts:

• It is a demonstration of what parents have already decided to do as a family…it is a demonstration of what’s in the heart…and that is to give their newly born baby back to the Lord (1Samuel 1).
• It’s a demonstration of their love for God and for their church. Parents not only need God’s help to bring up children in the Lord…but the public service makes them accountable to the church. In other words they need the love and support of their church family.

The Bible says that Simeon blessed/praised the Lord (28) and then he prayed a prayer of consecration for each of them or he simply asked the Lord to bless them as well (34).