Today we hear of Anna, a widowed woman who spent her entire life serving as a witness to Christ.

Even though Anna was able to enjoy her marriage for only seven years, and was left childless and alone, she spent the rest of her life living the choice to serve God through her prayer and praise, in never-ending anticipation of his merciful grace. She specifically moved to Jerusalem so she could be near the temple! Anna’s sole purpose in life was to please God. She was a constant presence at the temple, in a state of fast and prayer. William Barclay once wrote: She had known sorrow, but she had not grown bitter. She was old, but she had never ceased to hope. She never ceased to worship. She never ceased to pray.

As Simeon received the Christ child and lifted him up to declare him as the long-awaited Messiah, Anna was there in the right place (the Temple) at the right time (as Simeon receives Christ in his arms). Anna now knows that her prayers of seeing Christ have been answered, and she continues her ministry in sharing what she has seen.

One of the meanings of the name Anna is grace – how very, very appropriate. May God’s grace fill you as it did Anna, and may you have the dedication to our Lord, as did Anna, in service to the Almighty God in anticipation of his merciful reward.

Let us join with Simeon and Anna in thanking God for God’s faithfulness and for the birth of this holy child, the light to the Gentiles, who has come to save his people. AMEN.
God bless you!