Mary and Joseph Came to the Temple

This is a folk-style hymn about the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, based on  Luke 2:22–39.

It was written by English teacher, Methodist minister, hymn scholar and writer, Andrew Pratt (b 1948), and first published in 1997 by  Stainer & Bell, Ltd, England.

With meter 5.5.5.4 D, tunes it is set to include:

• BENSUNAS by Valerie Anne Ruddle (b 1932) - this was the original setting for the song 
• BUNESSAN, a traditional Scotts-Gaelic tune, composer unknown, also used with  Morning has Broken / Christ be Beside Me. 

Image adapt from stained glass, Presentation of the Lord detail - Mary & Joseph. 
Saint Bernard Catholic Church (Corning, Ohio)

Downloads

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No downloadable versions have been found, of either performances or the sheet music. If you know where to find one, please leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Examples

Duet with electronic organ, tune

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website. A rough outline is:

1 Mary and Joseph came to the temple ...

2 Anna had prayed there, widowed, long waiting ...

3 Simeon sings now: God profers blessing ...

See more ...

• Hymns about Jesus' presentation in the temple
• Hymns about the Holy Family

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1 Mary and Joseph came to the temple
brought the boy Jesus, offered him there.
People were waiting wanting to greet him;
long had they sought him, solace for care.

2 Anna had prayed there, widowed, long waiting,
worshiping God by day and by night.
Now she is praising, filled with elation:
here is God's promise, Christ is her light.

3 Simeon sings now: God proffers blessing,
brilliantly gilding dawn of his day.
Light in the darkness, never extinguished,
Light of all nations, light up our way.