The primary purpose of fasting is self-humbling. It is a scriptural means ordained by God for us to humble ourselves before Him. Throughout the bible, God requires his people to humble themselves before Him. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:4 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those...

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord", 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25 Now t...