Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity (or after her menstration); and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:36-40
Anna, a prophetess, refers to a woman who spoke God’s Word. She was a teacher of the Old Testatment and one of three women mentioned who prophesied. Being of an elderly state, and even that of a widow, she needed to trust in the Lord for her needs. She evidently had her living quarters on the temple grounds among the priests of the temple. One of those beautiful godly saints, she served the Lord through fastings and prayers, and spoke of Him to all who came looking for redemption in Israel. No doubt by now the Child Jesus, was indeed older than the Babe lying in a manger, so we can observe Anna, as someone who who knew also who Jesus was from O.T. prophesy. To be of an elderly age like today, is an extremely difficult place to be. Especially during biblical times, the widows care was a greatly stressed need in the early church (Acts 6:1-4). Anna needed to completely rely upon God for all of her needs, and yet her simplistic life of choice was to be about seeking earnestly the will of God. Diligently was her example given to us, as we see her denying herself for the sake of the Lord’s kingdom by her fasting and praying night and day. It should be noted that the Jewish calendar days began at 6:oop in the evening to 6:00p the next day. There must have been several priests in the outer court of the temple, and Anna must have been allowed to live there permanently because of her unusual status as a prophetess.
And the Child grew and became strong—Jesus did not cease being God or divest Himself of divine attributes in order to become man. Rather, He took on a human nature (an addition not a subtraction) and submitted the use of His divine attributes to the will of the Father. Christ was therefore subject to the normal process of human growth, intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. His relationship with His Heavenly Father did not override or nullify His duty to submit to His earthly parents, in fact, His obedience to the fifth commandment ( Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.)Deuteronomy 5:16, This was an essential part of the perfect legal obedience rendered on our behalf, as He had to fulfill all righteousness. Although He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest,(Hebrews 5:8-9).
Beloved friend, What we learn from today’s Scripture is that people who are of elderly age, are still being used of God, and that Jesus’ example to use in His humilty and obedience to His earthly parents, gives us His example of approval to our families today, because the blessing of obedience not only flow down to the next generation, but also upward to our elder members of a Christian’s family. The blessings of Christ’s birth, and the subsequential days of fulfillment of the law, in bringing the Child Jesus into the temple, show us God’s faithfulness to the people whom He have chosen that they would be a part of the cermonial process of introducing Christ to our world. Today, you and I can fulfill what God’s will is for us in telling of His great love for us in the Christmas story. And in doing so, in regards to our families, and extended families; all of their needs can be brought to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving, that we may have His presence, His peace, and His power in our hearts and in our homes, during the Christmas season, but also through out the New Year!
May the Lord bless your walk, and Christmas Day!
You are doing an incredible job buddy. Regards from Hotel Charles de Gaulle. Keep together with the great do the job.