Following Tradition

What an emotional day for Joseph and Mary. What hope they must have had in imagining how Jesus would fulfill his destiny. I'm not a parent, but I've heard and can easily imagine how parents dream for their children, and how much greater Mary and Joseph's dreams must have been for Jesus!

They probably didn't have a clue that the tradition they were following: an atonement sacrifice, consecrating the firstborn, and even the event that brought these laws, Passover, were all pointing to the "dream" Jesus was to fulfill.

And who could have imagined Simeon's words: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

Here's a deep question: How has Jesus fulfilled this destiny in you?