So, carrying the wicker cage containing a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons, the man and the woman mount the flight of steps leading up to the Temple buildings.  As they enter the first of the inner courts, an old man with a sudden light of recognition in his face, comes forward to greet them, takes the infant into his arms, offers a short thanksgiving to God, and blesses the parents.

And that is all: a seemingly ordinary occurrence, yet, in reality, it was unique for that Child was none other than God the Son who was that very morning fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Malachi, “…the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple” (NRSV, Malachi 3:1).