December 20, 2024

Luke 2:36-40  (HCSB)
Anna’s Testimony
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. The Family’s Return to Nazareth 39 When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.

Sherri Stem
In these verses we meet Anna. Anna in its' Hebrew origin means God has favored me. Anna is probably not like many people we see in our society today. She is devoted to searching, fasting and praying. Anna was one of the first people to recognize, in faith, the baby Jesus as God's promised Messiah. Anna can teach us that God can be our all in all. We have to be patient for God's timing. Anna prayed for many years yearning for the Messiah. She never lost hope or sight even though it was many years before her prayer was answered. How quickly do we lose hope and just give up?