What does Anna’s story tell us today?

​Gwen Clucas

Heavenly Father, we pray that your Holy Spirit may rest upon us now, as we approach the study of your Holy Word, and that He may make that Word a living message to our souls. Grant that our prayers being asked in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be accepted for his sake.  Amen
 
I am Anna. I am 84 years old. I am the daughter of Phanuel who came from the tribe of Asher. Asher was one of the twelve tribes of the Kingdom of Israel which were scattered by the Assyrians many years ago, before the Babalonians invaded the kingdom of Judah and took the Jews into captivity. Tradition says that the women of our tribe were known for their beauty and talent.
 
I was married at the age of 14 and lived with my husband for 7 years. Then I was widowed. As I was living in Jerusalem I then remained in the temple. I have served God since with fastings and prayers. I have waited for many years for the ‘Holy One of God’.
 
There was also an elderly priest, Simeon, who was moved by the Spirit to come to the temple on this occasion. He was a just and devout man who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ –  the Messiah.
 
According to the Law of Moses, as described in Leviticus, there were rituals to be observed following the birth of a child. After giving birth to a male child, a mother was considered ceremonially unclean for seven days. The boy was then circumcised on the eighth day.
 
When a son was born, a mother’s ceremonial uncleanness lasted an additional 33 days, a total of 40 days. She had to appear before the Lord with two offerings - one for a sin offering, the other for a burnt offering as a consecration of her first born to God. The usual offering was a lamb but if the family was poor
and not able to bring a lamb, they could bring two doves or two pigeons. The eldest son had to be presented to the temple after 40 days and dedicated to God.
 
One day a family came up to the temple in Jerusalem to present their son to the temple. When the couple came into the temple they met Simeon. He was amazed with the intense feeling that came over him. He sensed that this baby was the  promised Messiah. He then blessed the baby.
 
The family moved on and I then met them. I was immediately struck by the presence of this baby who had been named Jesus. I held the child and realised he was the long awaited Messiah. I gave thanks to God and shared the news with many others who had been waiting for the arrival of the Messiah.
 
Both Simeon and I had waited for years and years to meet this new born saviour. We were so joyful and thankful that we had seen Jesus. He was worth waiting for.
 
What does Anna’s story tell us today?
The presentation of Jesus in the temple is also called Candlemas. This is because a procession of candles is often done symbolising  the Holy family travelling up to Jerusalem for the offering and the prayers. Today we still remember Anna and Simeon because of their faith in God. God rewarded their faith by showing them the Messiah before they died.
 
We sometimes wait for things and end up disheartened. During this time of the Covid pandemic it is easy to get disheartened with no end in sight. However, we know that waiting for God is always worth it because He keeps his promises. The gospel reading today gives us the reassurance that if we are patient God will fulfil his promises.
 
Although there are only three verses in the Bible that refer to Anna her brief encounter with Jesus has played a significant role in demonstrating the Importance of faith and patience. She is honoured as a saint on February 3, the day after Candlemas, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the temple. She is known as Anna the Prophetess, the only female prophet referred to in the New Testament. Her name means ‘grace’ or ‘favour’. In Anna’s story there were two main themes. Firstly, Anna was a holy and wise woman, she saw   things that were not apparent to others. She saw the destiny of the baby Jesus as she held him in her arms. Secondly, like many of the New Testament stories, this story is not about Anna but about Jesus. Its purpose was to show who Jesus is. As a prophetess Anna received insight into things which are normally hidden from other people. She recognised the child and told of his significance to some people in Jerusalem. Her actions affirmed what was written in Amos3:7: “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to his servants the prophets.”
 
Simeon was obedient to God. The Bible tells us that he was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. He walked, lived  and acted very closely in line with the will of God.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah.  Simeon was aware of God’s presence in his life, even though it had meant a lot of patient waiting. We don’t know how long he waited but we do know that the day had come when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to be presented to the temple. God works amongst all people, obedient and rebellious, Christians and atheists, and people of other faiths. But the example of Simeon is one that the Bible  tells us to follow.
 
Luke told us that both Simeon and Anna were not just people who kept God’s commandments. He said of Simeon, “this man was looking forward to the consolation of Israel’, and of Anna he said that when she saw Jesus , “she began to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” It is also interesting to note that we are told that both Anna and Simeon are old. This is very unusual in the New Testament where age is not usually a factor. When we retire we have to consider how we spend our time. At first we may be involved in many activities. But as we get older we may not be able to continue with some things. Did God show us that older  people can still contribute to doing work for God? He used older people as the example we heard this morning. When physical activities become more difficult we can still continue to pray and to be patient.
 
When I was teaching near Feilding I attended St John’s Church. As I was sometimes away at the weekend  I went to Evensong instead of the morning service. Two things I remember about those services are the Magnificat – Mary’s song, and Nunc Dimittis, Simeon’s song. Simeon was so moved that he uttered his now famous words of praise: words so meaningful that they have become some of the  best loved words in the liturgies of the church. I thought they would be a fitting conclusion to this talk. Please join me in saying the Nunc Dimittis if you wish.
 
Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
According to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen
Thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared
Before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles
And to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be
world without end.
AMEN