Anna
Joy Throughout the Years
Anna is often forgotten in the Christmas story. Even though she walks into Jesus’ life only a few weeks after He’s born, she doesn’t make it into any of the nativity displays or the pageants like the Magi (who actually showed up years later.) She is not a person you see depicted on a Christmas card or made into a Christmas ornament.
And yet, Anna is part of an exceptional, honored group of people, even if she doesn’t make it into our nativity displays.
We have a very brief sketch of her life in Luke 2:36-37. It’s not much to say about an extremely long life.
But her meager background is more than we get about the shepherds or the magi. From those three sentences we see her prolonged pursuit of intimacy with God. Because of this, she is one of the very few outside His family who recognize Jesus as Messiah when He is only an infant—one of only two who are named.
Luke tells us she was a prophet who had been widowed just seven years into her marriage and then spent her life in the temple, worshipping, fasting, and praying. How long might those years have seemed to a woman all alone in a society that had little regard or place for widows?
I wonder about Anna. Did she start out feeling forgotten in her widowhood? What did her days in the temple look like? To whom did she talk? How did she share her prophecies? Did any of them mention the Messiah? What normal hopes and dreams did she hold in her heart, and which did she have to let go?
When we meet her, she is rather old, at least in her mid-80s, possibly over 100. Most translations call her “advanced in years” or describe her age as “great.” Anna has been following God a long time.
What joys filled her soul and gave her strength for all her days? We may have a few hints.
Luke includes details about Anna’s family—her father’s name, Phanuel, and her tribe, Asher. In Deuteronomy, we read these blessings spoken over the tribe of Asher:
“as your days, so shall your strength be” [33:25] and
“the eternal God is your dwelling place.” [33:27]
God gave Anna strength for all her days, and the temple of God was her dwelling place. Did she remind herself of these blessings when she felt weary? Did they fuel her desire to know God more deeply?
If nothing else, I have to believe they were a reminder to her that age is not a hindrance to being effective and active in God’s Kingdom. In fact, it is an advantage for those who have spent decades developing a deep, rich relationship with the Lord.
The joy of the Lord is something we can cultivate all our lives.
It grows and increases over time, as we remain attached to Jesus, attentive to the Holy Spirit, and alert to our heavenly Father. And no matter how long we’ve been following Jesus, there are always more good things to come because there is always more of Him to be found and known. So there is always more joy available to us.
God called Anna and made her a prophet. Her circumstances allowed her to give herself entirely to Him and she flourished spiritually. She knew the joy of the Holy Spirit speaking to her and through her. Anna was very familiar with His voice.
One day in the temple, Anna spotted Simeon holding a baby and talking to a young mom. She walked up to them and suddenly, she knew—this baby is the Messiah! Imagine the joy!
Luke says she,
“spoke of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” - Luke 2:38 ESV
A lifetime in the temple, decade after decade, speaking to God, speaking with God, and speaking for God, and all the while, longing for more of God. Then the amazing joy of seeing Jesus and recognizing the incarnation of God’s ancient promises right in front of her eyes!
There is no more important news in this world, and Anna was right there to see it all begin, and to be able to announce it to others. We may forget about Anna, the people around her might have forgotten, but God never did. He honored her and blessed her with His presence and His joy.
Consider & Comment Below
Have you experienced the joy of conversing with God?
Has the Holy Spirit given you words to speak to others?
What scripture verses do you go back to over and over again, ones that seem written just for you?
What joys has God surprised you with?
Have you found God in lonely circumstances or places?