A short marriage and a long widowhood would be enough to make many people bitter with disappointment. And many people who reach the age of 84 think they have nothing left to offer, and that life has somehow passed them by. Maybe that’s where you find yourself during this Christmas season, more depressed than joyful.

If so, let’s take a look at Anna, whose name means “Grace.” Instead of focusing on the husband she had lost so many years before, notice how fully she has devoted herself to God. She comes to the Temple whenever the doors are open, praying constantly, and even fasting, foregoing food in order to focus even more completely on God.

But what good did such devotion do for her? Well, as she drew near to God, God also drew near to her. Verse 36 says she was a prophetess, one like Deborah in the days of the Judges who would receive messages from God for the people. In other words, she may not have had much in terms of worldly wealth or security, but God had rewarded her abundantly with His presence.

But God’s greatest gift to her was to see the baby Jesus and to know that, in spite of the poverty and obscurity that she shared with Him, somehow He would grow up to be the Messiah God had promised would redeem His people. As a result, Anna gave thanks and went out and told everyone that Christ had come.

Well, what about us? Will we focus on what we don’t have this Christmas? Or will we draw near to God in prayer? Will we listen to His voice speaking to us through His Word? By faith will we gaze upon the miracle of the Christ Child, the Redeemer Whom God has given to save us? And will we spread the news that has given us such good reason to rejoice?

Luke 2:36-38 (NASB)

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage,
37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.