To fulfill the Law of God, as set out in the book of Leviticus, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus, at 40 days old, to the temple in Jerusalem, to offer the appropriate sacrifice following the birth:  "And when the days of her (the mother’s) purification are fulfilled, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtle-dove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest. And he shall offer it before the Lord, and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood….And if her means suffice not for a lamb, then she shall take two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons…" (Leviticus 12: 6-8).

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While in the temple, the Holy Family encounter Simeon, a holy man who was promised, by God, not to die until he would see the Messiah. Simeon identifies Jesus as the Christ. The Holy Family also encounters the prophetess Anna in the temple, who immediately recognizes Jesus as the Messiah.