Entrance to the Temple

OBJECTIVE

Forty days after the Feast of the Nativity, we celebrate this feast, on which the Holy Virgin Mary underwent the ritual of purification and offered sacrifices as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. Our Lord was met by Simeon the Elder (Lk. 2:22-35). The Holy Church teaches us to pray Simeon's prayer every night at the Prayer of the Twelfth Hour, as well as at the Third Watch of the Midnight Prayer. We celebrate the minor feast of the Entrance of our Lord into the Temple on the 8th day of the Coptic month of Amshir (February 15/16).

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Talk with students about what happens when babies are born in their family. Ask the students if they have a baby cousin or sibling that they can remember.

Ask the students leading questions: How did everyone feel about the baby? Did the parents have Abouna come to their home to bless the baby? Why did the parents do this special bath for their baby?

Make sure there is no confusion between the dedication bath in the home with the Holy Baptism. Guide the students to think about how each member of our families is blessed by God, starting from their earliest days.

Babies in our church are dedicated to the Lord through the prayer and faith of their parents and loved ones. In today's story, the students will learn about when our Lord Jesus was taken by His mother, Saint Mary, and Saint Joseph to the temple for dedication.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 2 Minutes

Please read the story of the Holy Family's entrance into the temple, found in Luke 2:22-35.

Memory Verse - "A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel." (Luke 2:32)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

When Jesus was 40 days old, Mary and Joseph traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for an important ceremony. Many, many years before, God had given Moses laws for His people to obey. One of those laws was that any family who had a firstborn son had to take that son and have him dedicated at the temple. To dedicate someone means to offer him to God.

The Virgin Mary and Joseph loved and obeyed God's commandments, so they traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, bringing the offering of two young doves.

Meanwhile, in Jerusalem there was a righteous man named Simeon, who loved God. It says in the Gospel according to St. Luke, that the Holy Spirit was upon Simeon. Remember the Holy Spirit came upon believers in the Old Testament but did not live inside them like after Pentecost. After our Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose again, the Holy Spirit came to live in our hearts.

Simeon listened and obeyed God's voice. Earlier in Simeon's life God told him that he would not die until he had seen with his own eyes the Promised Christ, the Messiah. This must have been an exciting promise to Simeon. Many years passed and Simeon continued to worship and serve God. He was so old that he lost his sight, but he kept his faith in God's promised Savior.

One day as Simeon was going about his day, he heard God's voice speaking to him. The Holy Spirit was urging him to go to the temple. He went to the temple and went inside. A young woman holding a baby in her arms and her husband walked through the temple doors. God's Spirit told Simeon that this baby was the Promised Savior.

Immediately, Simeon went to Saint Mary and reached out to hold her Baby Boy. He held him in his arms and could see again He immediately began to praise God.

Listen to what Simeon said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation" Saint Mary and Joseph were amazed at Simeon's praises to God. He was thanking God for sending the Savior and allowing him to see Him before he died.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Open the icon of the Presentation of the Lord at the temple in the Discussion attachment. Share the icon with the students and ask them to share what they see. Engage the students in a discussion about the story of the entrance to the temple and how we can learn from the story.

Why did Saint Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph take our Lord Jesus Christ to the temple? To dedicate Him to the Lord.
In what way were you dedicated to the Lord when you were a baby? "7 day bath"
What is faith? Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see.
What did God promise Simeon? That he would see the promised Savior.
How did Simeon know that he should go to the temple courts that day? The Holy Spirit told him.
How did God keep His promise to Simeon? He saw the Savior before He died.
What did Simeon do when he saw Jesus? Praised God and prophesied God's salvation
What do we need to believe by faith? We believe in One God, that our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and that He was raised from the dead.
How should we live our lives as we wait for God's promises? Living a life to please God every day.
What are some ways you can stay focused on worshiping God while in church? Keep your whole body involved: eyes and ears on altar, feet firm, hands folded or raised up
What are some other promises God has made that we haven't seen yet? His Heavenly Kingdom, Congregation of Saints, Hosts of Angels
We can hear the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. What is the best time for you to set aside to read your Bible and pray? Discuss schedule ideas with students and remind them to talk about with their families

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Simeon reminds us that sometimes we have to wait in order to see God's plans for us. Sometimes it's hard to wait, but it is always worth the rich blessings that will come. We must remember to always keep our trust and have faith in the Lord. We can joyfully hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and trust that God always keeps His promises.

ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes

Option 1 - Paper Puppets Craft

Print the "Paper Puppets" document on cardstock. Have the students color and cut out the paper puppets so they can reenact the story for their parents at home. Give each student two popsicle sticks to create their puppets with tape or glue.

Option 2 - Waiting Clock Craft

Materials:

paper plates
construction paper
scissors
markers or crayons
scotch tape or glue
stickers and googly eyes optional
ribbon or pipe cleaner optional

Instructions

Distribute paper plates to each child and have them create a clock face. This can be an accurate clock for older grades, but not necessarily for younger grades.
Help them cut and tape hour and minute hands in the center of the paper plates.
Have them label their clocks with sayings like: "God keeps His promises" or "Waiting on the Lord."
Allow them to decorate their clocks and have fun with it.
Optional: Hang up the clock with pipe cleaner or ribbon attached.

Option 3 - Matching Game

Print two sets of the "Matching Game" document (attached below) on cardstock. Laminate each set, if possible. Cut out the cards along the black lines and shuffle. Lay them out face down in rows. Allow the students to take turns flipping only two cards each per turn. If they do not match, turn them back over and let the next person try. The person with the most matches wins the round.

Option 4- Salvation Glasses

Materials: card stock, markers or crayons, safety scissors, staplers

Print the "Salvation Glasses" document on card stock and distribute half a sheet to each child. Have them decorate their glasses with markers or crayons. Allow them to cut out the glasses and the arms of the glasses. Help them cut out the holes of the glasses so they can see through them. Staple the arms to the sides of the glasses. Discuss how Simeon the Elder was blessed with sight to see God's salvation, just as He promised him.

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of the Presentation of our Lord at the temple. Share the photos of their 7-day bath with your child and your memories of that special day. Pray through the intercessions of Simeon the Elder and Anna the Prophetess in your prayer routines this week at home.