The answer is: Two turtledoves or pigeons

Luke 2:22-24 - among the Jews, a mother would remain at home for about 40 days after the birth of a boy and about 80 days for a girl because she was considered unclean. After this she presented him as "holy to the Lord" and offered the sacrifice as according to the law.

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple after her purification, they were fulfilling a tradition that spoke volumes about their humility and adherence to the Jewish law. After the birth of a son, a mother would undergo a ceremonial period of purification, during which she was separated in a sense from the community. Israelite law vividly reflected the intertwined nature of physical, spiritual, and social life. Interestingly, the required sacrifice for mothers of modest means was to offer two turtledoves or pigeons—an indicator of their socio-economic status.

This humble offering also echoes back to the greater biblical narrative, linking Jesus’s early life to the sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus, a book focused extensively on sacred rituals. The use of turtledoves and pigeons recalls other moments of significance in the Bible; for instance, these birds became a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit, giving their presence a beautiful multi-layered meaning.

Also fascinating is how this moment captures the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus in yet another underdog story—a humble beginning for a child destined to make waves through compassion and humility. Viewing this event against the broader picture, it’s delightfully remarkable how the sacred and ordinary intertwine in the biblical narrative, inviting all of us to see the holy in everyday life and action.