Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Anna

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Luke 2:36-39
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Every year Anna stops me in my tracks: this wonderful woman, widow for many years, virtually living in the temple. Her spirit was strong and alert, and she knew Jesus immediately. Anna did not abide by the conventions of her world; she lived on a track not traced by others, and her spirit was free.

Her 84-year-old body was not free, of course. She tired easily, might have been hard of hearing, a little blind, arthritic, ready to shed her earthly skin. But none of that mattered when she fasted and prayed, and certainly none of that mattered on this day. Jesus filled her ears and eyes and joints, and she was whole, and God rang the bells of Christmas in her mind.

Anna needed nothing more. She had found what this baby Jesus grown-up later called the pearl of great price, the treasure in the field. Her treasure-hunting days were over. She was rich. She was full of milk and honey. All the days of her life filled up into this moment, and Anna lifted up her hands in worship and joy.

Lord, you offer us the fruit of your handiwork, sweet and blessed. Let us eat and be glad. (Psalm 128)

Devotions Archive

Anna

Sunday, December 27, 2009