CONNECTING POINT: Christmas the Two Turtle Doves

Have you heard the songs in the air? Radio, television, Internet, and stores are currently playing Christmas music, ‘tis the season. Soon

carolers will be strolling, children will be performing at school concerts and choirs will be singing their hearts out. One tradition we held for numerous years as a family was some version of the “12 Days of Christmas,” little notes or small gifts leading up to December 25th. Our children loved the special gifts from grandma and grandpa or us making each day special. I’m certain you’re familiar with the 12 Days of Christmas jingle, verse two “On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree?”

Unbeknownst to many the two turtle doves mentioned above can be tied to the birth of Jesus Christ, Luke includes the details in chapter two. “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph, and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’, and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons,’ (Luke 2:22-24).

As Jewish people, Joseph and Mary held dearly to their roots and spiritual teachings; they were a devoted non-traditional couple some would say. They weren’t “officially” married till after Jesus’ birth. However, they went through the traditional steps as any parents did by presenting Jesus to be circumcised on the eighth day in the temple. As required by Jewish Law a sacrifice was made by Christ’s parents, either a lamb or two doves. Joseph and Mary were quite poor, so the only option for them was two doves, called The Offering of the Poor. Imagine that the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus the Messiah came to this world in true humility, unlike other royalty. God often fashions His plans in unique forms or actions, even introducing the Savior of the World.

Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:9 states “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Some individuals in the course of time have improperly interpreted this verse by attaching monetary value to “rich”. One anonymous preacher said years ago, “Anytime you take the TEXT out of CONTEXT the thing you’re left with is a CON,” I share that sentiment. Paul is teaching us that at salvation we are made “rich” through the very grace of God through the Incarnation of Jesus.

Do you see the bigger picture? The Bible is not conveying dollars and cents, but the very grace of God that far outweighs all this world has to offer. Joseph and Mary operated under the Old Covenant, they brought two doves as an offering and atonement for their sin. They were regular people, part of God’s extraordinary plan as they brought Jesus to the temple that day. At the point of Christ’s death and resurrection, He became the “spotless lamb” (1 Peter 1:19) of God, the perfect and final sacrifice for atonement of sin. The heart of Christmas is only found in Jesus Christ, He is our true love and made the greatest sacrifice of all.