REFLECT           
I am always impressed by people who have undergone great tragedy, yet continue to put their hope and trust in God. Anna is one such woman. As such, she is an example to all of us of faith amidst adversity; of perseverance and faithfulness. And she was richly rewarded.

I had been a Christian for many, many years before I stumbled upon these two verses that introduce us to this amazing and frankly often-passed-over saint. Why did she get so little press? Because she was old? Because she was a widow? Because she was a woman?

I don’t know, but Anna’s story captures my attention. Here’s this newlywed young woman, bright future ahead of her, eager to make a home and raise a family. But tragedy strikes. We don’t know what happened, but Anna’s husband dies. Seven years of married life is all she gets. And how does she react? Does she doll herself up looking for another man? Does she become cold and bitter, withdrawn and envious of other’s good gifts…of the children playing on the street she would never raise? No. She worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Somehow, instead of tragedy drawing a wedge between herself and God, it served as the impetus for deeper intimacy with Him. Now do you see why people name their children after her? Her name, Anna, means “gracious.” Gracious indeed.

And one day, over two thousand years ago, that little old lady saw the infant Jesus, overheard Simeon’s prophecy, and joyfully began spreading the news that this child was the embodiment of their dreams come true.  To those longing, waiting, for God to bring some good end to a sad story…they need not wait any longer. The Promised One was here. 

RESPOND

We may not face a tragedy as great as Anna’s, but no doubt 2020 has been a rough year. How will this year mark you? Will you choose, like Anna, to continue to worship, in the midst of the grief? Will you allow your life to become a song of praise to Him…to devote yourself to Him…rather than looking for superficial replacements or spiraling into bitterness?

Tragedy does occur. This world is dark at times. But in the words of sweet Simeon, “a light has come.”  May we have eyes to see his presence in our world this year, and like Anna, to live lives that testify to His faithfulness through our own.

READ: Luke 2:36-38

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.