Anna - The Patient Prophetess

As the account of Anna begins, the Holy Spirit has led Simeon into the Temple just as Mary & Joseph & the Baby were entering. This was the moment God had promised to Simeon – he took the Baby into his arms & sang! Just as Simeon finished, Anna came into the Temple & picked up where Simeon left off! This is a great story, but why is it here? Luke wants to convince you that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and so he documents: angel announcements, the birth of John the Baptist, the song of the heavenly host, the sign given to the shepherds, and through it all, the fulfillment of many OT prophecies about the coming Messiah. And now, as if to seal the deal, Luke closes by recording the testimony of the Holy Spirit thru the words of these two prophetic "Messiah watchers": Simeon & Anna. So let's turn our attention to an often unsung heroine… Anna
Anna's life verified the Savior's coming. This special lady lived in: i.) Contentment (vv.36-37); ii.) Consecration (v.37); iii.) Communication (v.38). As perhaps you think about the New Year, what a great goal these would be for any of us!