The Prophetess Anna Praises Christ
Luke 2:36-40
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Miracle at the Birth of Christ
by Isaac Watts

The King of Glory sends his Son
To make his entrance on this earth;
Behold the midnight bright as noon,
And heav'nly hosts declare his birth!
About the young Redeemer's head
What wonders and what glories meet!
An unknown star arose, and led
The eastern sages to his feet.
Simeon and Anna both conspire
The infant Savior to proclaim;
Inward they felt the sacred fire,
And blessed the Babe, and owned his name.

A PICTURE OF DEVOTION
Women are always waiting for babies; right now, our daughter-in-law Anna is waiting for her firstborn, and the rest of our family waits with her.  Babies come when they come, so gathering our patience, we wait for them.  Today’s passage from Luke tells us of another Anna, an ancient Anna, who has been praying in the Temple courts day and night for over 60 years, waiting for a baby. This widow who, at 84 years of age, has lived twice as long as she might have expected to in that day and age, has now come to the end of her waiting. Her Lord has come; He has come as a baby.  And she recognizes Him.

We see it in her face.

Rembrandt shows us Anna’s enlightened eyes: young eyes in an old face. Anna’s eyes are listening eyes, eyes that are mirroring the Light of the World, uncreated light, and this light is reflected upon her face. Notice that the light source in the picture IS the child that she is viewing and her mouth is opened to proclaim! For who could not speak and tell others this news?

Anna is a picture of devotion. Longing to be as near to God as possible, she has lived in the Temple for years, worshipping and praying.  We talk about “church ladies;” but Anna was the original “Temple Lady.”  Anna has lived in the house of mourning, fasting and waiting, and now she moves to the House of Feasting as she sees the Bread of Life, the Feast Himself. And she is satisfied, and she worships God.

In Luke 2, there in the Temple, Anna comes upon old Simeon (who has been told by God that he won’t die until he sees the Messiah) holding baby Jesus and prophesying to His mother, Mary. We see in Anna an archetype of an obedient Israel, waiting for the Messiah, worshipping and serving.  We see in Mary, an archetype of the Church, saying “yes” to God, receiving and carrying the Messiah, having Him formed in her.  And here these two faithful women, old and young, meet! And joy radiates. Temple Lady meets Church Lady and evangelism ensues. Because Luke tells us that Anna sees the baby, gives thanks to God, and then goes and talks about Jesus to all the others who were waiting for salvation, “the redemption of Jerusalem.”  Lupe Rios’ “Alleluia” captures the moment masterfully, beautifully: first the haunting longing and waiting, and then the joyful fulfillment.

Like Anna, we come now to an end. We are at the end of the year, at the end of this life’s year.  Like Anna, we have a history of mourning. Like Anna, we wait in the courts of the Lord to see the dawn of That Day, when we ourselves will see Him face to face, and our faces will reflect the light of His glory.  Like Anna, we are made for light, and we wait for Him.  And the Morning Star will rise and shine on us and we will see His glory and be enlightened: we will be changed. The Light of the World has come, and Light of the World will come again. And we who wait will see Him. Alleluia!

Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, give us the grace to be like Anna, waiting for Your next advent, faithfully worshiping and praying. May we have eyes that see, ears that hear, and a heart to tell others about You.  We offer our selves, soul and body, to be part of the company of those who dwell in your house, serving and praising You until that day, when we see You face-to-face. Come, Lord Jesus!
Amen.

Betsy Barber
Director, Center for Spiritual Renewal
Associate Director, Institute for Spiritual Formation
Associate Professor of Spirituality and Psychology