Christmas - Someone we usually overlook - Anna

Someone We Usually Overlook - Anna

In Luke's narrative of Christ's birth, he gives only 3 verses to a little (I imagine her as little - Luke does not say) old (he does tell us she was old - maybe 84, but possibly the text could mean she was 104 or so) woman named Anna.

Anna was a prophetess and had been a widow many years. She spent her time in the Temple, praying and fasting.

She was an insignificant figure. She could have been left out of the story, as Matthew and Mark left her out, and none of the essential facts would have changed.

But when we read about her we see that she was truly an extraordinary person, and probably more than anyone else in the story, she understood what was happening. She recognized the full significance of the amazing birth of that special Child.

She was in the temple when Mary and Joseph brought their first-born Son to be dedicated to God, as directed by the Law.

Look at Luke's words about her:

"...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" (Luke 2:36-38).

What did she understand that others might have missed?

 She knew that that little baby was the promised redeemer of Israel, and she announced His birth to all in Jerusalem, who, like herself, looked for that redemption.

This is all so remarkable. She understood that Jesus came to enter the marketplace (this world) to buy back, redeem, from the bondage of sin, His people. He was the long awaited Messiah.

He was not a zealot or a political leader. He was not going to lead a revolt against the Romans.

He was going to redeem His people from their slavery to sin.

Anna was waiting for this moment to come. Waiting for the One who one day would pay the price of our redemption.

 "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" was likely her daily morning prayer.

And this is the heart of Christmas -- not the lowly stable, beautiful as it is. Not the shepherds, as inspiring as they are. But the fact of the Incarnation-- Christ entering human history to be the Redeemer.

It's all about John 3:16.

She was not the only one. Luke says there were others "looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

And she knew who they were. She knew who to give the good news to.

She apparently got to know people as they came into the temple.She knew their deep spiritual longings. And so she knew who to share her news with.


I picture her: old and tiny, eagerly rushing up to people, perhaps grabbing their hands, whispering in awe-full words, "He has come! He is here - now! Emmanuel."

Did the these faithful Jews discuss the coming of the Messiah often when they came to the temple?  

Did they get discouraged sometimes and think He never would come? Where was the promise of His coming? Did the degrading daily affairs of life in that culture depress them? Did they often pray, as we do, "Even so come quickly!"

In James Montgomery Boice's comments on Anna, he reminds us that the life of Jesus begins and ends with the Great Commission-- Anna, like the shepherds,  goes out and tells people who Christ is -- and at the end of Christ's earthly journey, He tells His disciples to "go into all the world and preach the gospel."

It's all about John 3:16-17.

I want to be like Anna. I want to know people around me who look for His coming! I want to be surrounded by them. I want to share my longing and my impatience with them. Where is the promise of His coming?

And then I want to work with them and spread the message to everyone else...

Yes, I want to be like Anna - open eyes and heart to see God's presence and open mouth to proclaim His glorious message!

Like Anna.


P.S. Wouldn't it be great if we had some sort of special sign or greeting? Like in the Tribulation when the ones who belong to Christ have a special mark?

The Jews had one--sort of a code.  It  was "next year in Jerusalem." That greeting reminded them who they were as a people and what they had to look forward to, no matter how bad the current conditions were, they would greet each other with that. Even in the concentration camps, they often spoke softly to one another, "Next year in Jerusalem." That hope bonded them into one family.

And the Scots had one -- it was a special sign they gave when drinking (and they drink a lot it appears!)...it was passing their hand beneath and over the glass or mug - and it signified that their Bonnie Prince Charlie was hiding in France until he came back to take the throne - he was presently "over the water" (across the English channel) but would return and until then they saluted each other with the words and sign, "over the water."

I think we need a special sign or greeting. Come to think of it, we do. It's "Maranatha!" (The word means "O come, Lord.") It appears the early Christians used that word (as well as a symbol for a fish) to mark themselves as belonging to Christ.

In fact, as I think about it now, we used to do that when I was a teenager...call out "Maranatha!" to our friends - even in Hawaii -- not "aloha" but "Maranatha!"

So, Maranatha!

P.P.S. John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him might have everlasting life.

Are you one of the "whosoevers"? This is a great time of the year
to make that happen.....if you want to, feel free to email me at
gloart2@yahoo.com....