Christmas

“There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 3:36-68

The Christmas season celebrates the birth of a child but the Gospels include many venerable figures like Simeon, Elizabeth, Zechariah and, today, Anna. These people remind me of the fullness of life and wisdom that enrich human experience. I pray that young and old alike may people may benefit from each other's company.

In a few words we are given a summary of the Prophetess Anna’s life – her name, her father’s name, her tribe and her long life as a widow. She is the only widow named in the Gospel of Luke. What stands out more than all of those is the quality of her life, especially her faith. There is no mention of her challenging life with all its losses. She is old but full of hope, speaking ‘to all who were looking forward for the redemption of Jerusalem’. She is a model of waiting, or recognising, of fasting, of prayer and of praise.

An old woman is given to us as a model of discipleship. She had moved beyond the past and looked to a new future. There was no looking back with regret with what life has brought her. She had grown strong and was filled with wisdom. Let our prayer draw strength from Anna as we seek to follow her fidelity in welcoming and presenting Jesus to those around us.

God of birth, God of light,

in this time of song and prayer and silence,

reawaken in us the awe of Christmas.

As we hear again the story of the prophetess Anna,

remind us that we are called to respond to you in unexpected ways. 

And as we move on from this season,

may we be willing to sing praises

for a young woman who said YES

and the birth that we have celebrated. Amen