When civilization and culture were at a much more primitive stage of development, wise men, teachers and thinkers often turned abstract ideas into story form. We see this in the parables of Jesus: he did not discuss the unconditional and all-embracing love of the Father theoretically but told the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15:11-32). To answer the question "Who is my neighbour?" he narrated the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10). We do the same with novels, drama, films, which in various ways depict courage, heroism, greed, pride, prejudice.

In a somewhat similar manner people in the early Church felt the need to try to understand the mystery of Jesus and of his mother Mary. They wrote stories, not always based on historical facts, to express their search for an understanding of the mystery.

Already in the sixth century at Jerusalem, Christians celebrated the idea that Mary, the mother of Jesus was presented in the Temple by her parents as a result of a vow they made when Anna still had no child. The celebration conveys the truth that Mary was a special person and was dedicated to God in holiness from the very beginning of her life on earth