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.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
During Advent, we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ—His birth in Bethlehem, His presence with us now, and His return in glory. Luke 2:36–40 offers a beautiful picture of what faithful anticipation looks like through the life of Anna the prophetess. Her story reminds us that God sees the quiet faithfulness of His people and often uses the overlooked and the ordinary to usher His kingdom into the world.
Anna’s life was marked by loss, loneliness, and years that might have seemed wasted to others. But her heart—steadfast, prayerful, and hope-filled—became a doorway through which the joy of Christ’s arrival was welcomed. In the moment she beheld the baby Jesus, she recognized not only a child, but the breaking-in of God’s kingdom, the fulfillment of a promise she had been waiting her whole life to see.
Anna endured personal hardship. Widowed young, she could have turned bitter or withdrawn. Instead, she leaned into God. Her identity wasn’t shaped by loss—it was shaped by devotion.
• Where has disappointment or grief tried to define you?
• How might God be inviting you to let perseverance reshape your story?
For 84 years, Anna showed up—day and night in the temple—fasting, praying, worshipping, and seeking God. Her waiting was not idle but intentional. She prepared her heart long before she saw the fulfillment of God’s promise.
• Can you create pockets of quiet, prayer, or worship to prepare room for Christ?
Anna’s nearness to God positioned her to be in the right place at the right time. Her prayers didn’t go unheard or unanswered—they were aligning her heart with God’s movement. The moment Jesus was brought to the temple, she knew exactly who He was.
• Do you treat time in God’s presence as essential or optional?
• In your prayer life, are you listening as much as you are speaking?
The instant Anna saw Jesus, joy burst forth. She didn’t keep the good news to herself—she proclaimed it to all who were longing for redemption. Her voice became one of the first to announce that the Savior had come. In that moment, she wasn’t just a witness—she became an usher, welcoming God’s kingdom into the world.
• Where is God giving you opportunities to share the hope of Christ?
• How can your life point others toward the joy and redemption found in Jesus?
As we journey through Advent, Anna invites us to slow down, to wait with expectation, and to keep our hearts soft and attentive to God. Her story reminds us that the joy of Christmas is not only about looking back at Christ’s birth, but looking forward—anticipating how His kingdom continues to break into our lives today.
May we, like Anna, welcome Jesus with joy, recognize His presence in our midst, and boldly share the hope He brings to a weary world.
