One of the bigger feasts (it lasts a week) and like many Marian feasts; the Feast of the Presentation is rooted in the 2nd century apocryphal Protoevangelion also known as the Infancy Gospel of James.
As early as Origen this text has been treated as being “canonical by tradition” rather than having been included in the “official” canon of scripture. It’s popularity is evidenced in the fact that very early examples exist in over 11 languages.
Here is an excerpt – relating to the beginning of the Feast (7.4-9):
“When the child turned three years of age, Joachim said, ‘Let’s send for the undefiled Hebrew daughters. Let them each take a lamp and light it, so the chid won’t turn back and have her heart captivated by things outside the Lord’s temple.’ And this is what they did until the time they ascended to the Lord’s temple.
The priest welcomed her, kissed her, and blessed her: ‘The Lord God has exalted your name among all generations. In you the lord will disclose his redemption to the people of Israel during the last days.’
And he sat her down on the third step of the altar, and the Lord showered favour on her. And she danced, and the whole house of Israel loved her.”
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