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.

In the story recounted in Luke 2:22-24, Mary and Joseph’s offering of two turtledoves or pigeons showcases their adherence to the customs and laws of their time. Leviticus 12:6-8 details the ritual of purification after childbirth, and interestingly, turtledoves were often designated as a less expensive offering compared to lambs. This detail lends insight into the humble financial status of Jesus’s earthly parents—they were part of a rural, working-class world.

If we dig a bit deeper, the presentation of Jesus in the temple can symbolize more than a mere ritual act. It celebrates the human experience of welcoming a new life while sending ripples of foreshadowing. Interestingly, just as they offer their child to the Lord, this echoes back to the promise of many mothers in biblical narratives, such as Hannah, who dedicated her son Samuel, showcasing a deeply ingrained tradition of giving thanks and consecrating new life to God.

Moreover, two turtledoves come laden with symbol as well—doves are often associated with peace and the Holy Spirit in various biblical contexts. Look at how these gentle creatures have throughout scriptural events become beacons of divine action. Jesus’s humble beginnings tell a poignant story of humility, reverence, and faith in ordinary moments that would go on to create extraordinary ripples through time. The significance of Mary and Joseph’s actions transcends mere compliance; it sets the stage for a larger divine narrative that would unfold before the world.