Welcome to our daily rosary meditation. Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen. Let's call the mind all those we've promised to pray for.

Today is the feast of the presentation of the Lord, the second joyful mystery.

The law of Moses commanded that 40 days after the birth of the firstborn son, he must be brought

to the tent of meeting, and then when the temple was built, to be brought

there and consecrated to the Lord.

So, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary brought him from Bethlehem to the temple

in Jerusalem.

Now I bet you never thought of the Holy Family still in Bethlehem on February 2nd

because you've put away all your Christmas decorations by now. But the Holy Family was still there.

And I bet you didn't think that the decree of Herod to kill all the baby boys

in the District of Bethlehem and the flight into Egypt all took place after

this event.

And that's why this used to be the last day of the Christmas season.

So, this is the fourth joyful mystery.

When Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, took Jesus in his arms and said,

Now, Lord, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised, because my eyes

have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the

Gentiles and a glory for your people Israel. Then turning to Mary, Simeon said,

you see this child? He is destined for the fall and for the

rising of many in Israel.

Destined to be a sign that is rejected, and a sword will pierce your own soul too, so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.

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