The Music of Christmas, Day 15

 Sacrifice of Praise

Read Luke 2:21-24

This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons. – Leviticus 12:7-8

 

Jewish laws regarding post-partum offerings and the circumcision of newborn males are very specific. Mary and Joseph were careful to observe these laws. Luke’s account emphasizes that even though Jesus was God, He clearly “did not consider His rights as God as something to be held onto.” Instead, Christ was “born under the law in order to redeem those under the law.” (see Philippians 2:5, Galatians 4:4-5) It was a remarkable moment when God subjected Himself to His own law. While we see this ultimately demonstrated on the cross, it began much earlier. The first outpouring of Jesus’ blood was not on the cross at the hands of executioners but at the hands of the priest who performed His circumcision.

 

Luke embeds another important detail into the account of Jesus’ dedication: that Mary and Joseph brought a pair of turtle doves or pigeons. This is more than lyrical inspiration for “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It’s an important detail about who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. 

 

The law of Moses was specific about the offering a mother should bring after giving birth: “When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest … a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.” (Leviticus 12:6) Giving birth, economically speaking, was an expensive undertaking. In addition to providing for a new member of a household, a new mother had to offer a lamb and a dove at the dedication of each child. Because not everyone could afford such extravagant offerings, the law of God allowed families of lesser means to bring two birds instead — one as a burnt offering (in place of the lamb) and the other as a sin offering. Mary and Joseph chose the economy plan.

 

Throughout Luke’s Gospel, the author clearly wants readers to understand how Jesus emptied Himself of the riches and glories of heaven. After all, it was Luke who focused on the inn that had no room and Jesus being born, instead, in a barn. While Matthew narrates kings bringing riches from the East, Luke tells of lowly shepherds working the night shift. And here, at the dedication of baby Jesus, Luke doesn’t miss the opportunity to depict our Lord’s poverty in detailing the “poor man’s” sacrifice. 

 

While Joseph, a man of no great means, may have opted for the low-cost dedication solely for economic reasons, there is still more significance to the missing lamb. These animals had long been the preferred offering in the Jewish sacrificial system. Remember the Exodus story? On the eve of the very first Passover, God instructed His people to offer a “spotless” or “unblemished” lamb. They used its blood to mark their doorposts the night before, preventing the death angel from visiting their homes. As future generations continued the practice of sacrificing perfect lambs, they were reminded that God had spared the lives of their people and that redemption comes at a cost. Every time sacrificial blood spilled across the altar it was as if God’s redemption was poured out. 

 

Thirty years after His dedication in the temple, and just before launching His public ministry, Jesus visited His cousin John by the Jordan River. As Jesus approached, John proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29) John did more than fulfill his divine role as the one preparing the way for the Lord. He made an important statement about who Jesus was and what He had come to do. The Passover lamb was merely a placeholder. Every lamb sacrificed at a Hebrew child’s dedication had been a foreshadow. God was coming … the One who would be slain for the salvation of the world. 

 

Mary and Joseph had indeed brought a Lamb to the altar that day. In fact, they’d brought the perfect Lamb of God. And although He was not sacrificed on that day, a deposit of His blood was made. The full payment came thirty-three years later on an altar made of rough-hewn wood and nails at Calvary.

 

Lamb of God,

I am overwhelmed by the thought of the price You paid for my redemption. 

Your precious blood was poured out so that I might be spared. 

Thank You for leaving the riches of heaven to enter into the poverty of my sin. 

Thank You for coming under the authority of the law in order to rescue me from it. 

You are worthy, O Lamb of God, to receive my sacrifice of praise. 
Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.