Anna the Prophetess, introduced to us in last week’s gospel of Luke (2:36-38), is an inspirational Biblical woman. Consider the fact that she was widowed at a young age and spent the rest of her long life living in the Temple. Praying, fasting, doing service, and waiting. 

Waiting, what was she waiting for all those many years? She was waiting for the Baby Jesus to be brought to the Temple for presentation by his parents. Can you imagine the feeling of elation that must have filled her heart when she heard that Simon was speaking to a special mother and father. Perhaps she was right there beside Simon or maybe her soul was stirred at the entrance of the holy child, and she sought him out. We don’t know that answer. 

We do know that Anna gave thanks to God that she had been able to live to see the baby and “to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38. 

There is so much that is left unsaid in this Bible quote. I chose the graphic below because it shows three very happy people. Mary, smiling and holding her laughing son, introduces him to an ecstatic Anna, who, like all of us when we meet a new baby, reaches out her hands to hold and cuddle the baby. Her long life of waiting has been fulfilled. The Christ is here in her presence, and she couldn’t be more excited. 

Anna serves as the model of patience and endurance for those of us who have difficulty waiting. She demonstrates the value of devotion to our God of unconditional love and redemption. We can all meditate on the act of reaching out our arms to cuddle and embrace that laughing baby Jesus. 

He loves us unconditionally and He loves to be held. 

Terri