Luke records the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took him to Jerusalem to give God an offering and perform the purification rites required under the Law of God at that time.
Luke 2:22-24 says, “And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.'”
Mary and Joseph were poor so they gave two birds as an offering to God, as opposed to the usual offering of a lamb. They gave God everything that they had. We don’t make animal sacrifices now, but God wants us to give Him everything that we have. While we may not physically transfer everything to God, everything must be made available to Him to use for His purposes. It is He who has given us everything and to be a true follower of Jesus Christ we must surrender ownership of our time, treasures, and talents to God. We can trust Him to provide for our needs and deal with us in loving-kindness.
Reluctant Retiree 