Notice the careful observance of Torah by Joseph and Mary: this is key to understanding the home and culture of Jesus. He grew up in a devout home marked by righteousness as defined by Torah. His family regularly kept Torah, making the appropriate sacrifices, keeping to the appropriate holy days, and obeying the commands governing their social, economic and religious life. When Jesus was born, his people were not looking to ditch Torah, to get away from the Law. They were working to keep it, all the time praying earnestly for the LORD to have mercy on them and rescue them from those who either neglected Torah, rejected Torah, or corrupted Torah.
According to Torah, Jesus was circumcised and named on the eighth day. Leviticus 12
According to Torah, Mary was purified (childbirth caused uncleanness, she need to be made ritually clean) on the fortieth day (with doves or pigeons - which is what the poor were able to afford). Leviticus 12
According to Torah, since Mary was also of the tribe of Levi (being related to Elizabeth), her firstborn son (not Joseph's!) was presented to the LORD, consecrated and redeemed (a lamb was sacrificed in place of the firstborn). Numbers 18v14-16
It is interesting to note how Luke frames the situation: those like Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna who are Torah-observant, righteous and devout, and who recognize Jesus as the Christ are also influenced by the Spirit of God. It seems like there is a transition going on: the Spirit is going to be crucial to the recognition and reception of Jesus as the King of the Universe. It is crucial that one be Torah-observant, righteous and devout, but they must also be given the Spirit - which is a gift.
Notice that the story of Jesus' family going to Passover also reveals their commitment to keeping Torah. Keeping Torah wasn't oppressive, stifling, or a burden. It gave the people identity, direction, purpose, and a framework by which to order life and society. Torah is what made Israel unique, it is what situated them to be used by God to bring light to the world. But Torah wasn't God's last word on the rescue of the world. Jesus is to be the light - to Torah-observant Israel, to pagan-Gentiles, to everybody that was looking for redemption from evil, peace amidst cruelty, light instead of darkness, rescue from chaos.
Jesus grew up Torah-observant. Joseph and Mary were inspired by Simeon and Anna, by Zechariah and Elizabeth, and all those who were righteous and devout. Jesus thus grew up in wisdom of the Torah and favor with God and the neighbors. And it was out of this setting that he would be:
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.
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