ANNA
THE WIDOW IN THE CHRISTMAS STORY
The songwriter, speaking of Christmas, said, “It’s the most
wonderful time of the year.” And it
is! Think about it! How can it not be? Listen to the proclamation of the angel to
the shepherds at the time of Jesus’ birth: “For unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) Every person born of woman, other than Jesus the Son of God, is in need of a Savior. Even Mary, blessed among woman and the mother
of our Lord said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices
in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46)
We need not argue that each of us is a sinner. Plant yourself on a bench where there are
both parents and children. What do you
hear? "Stop that!" "Don’t do that!" "If you do that again, I’m going to tell
the park ranger." "See that
policeman over there? I’m going to go get him." "I’m going to tell Pastor
Bruce." You get the point. Even if we use our own standard, we will come up short of the mark.
Yes, as the Apostle Paul put it, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Jesus Christ came to save sinners of
whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
Here’s the true beauty of Christmas: family festivities, the
giving and receiving of gifts, carols, Christmas songs, lights, and the list
goes on, all make the season a delight.
But above all else, it’s this one truth that makes Christmas “the most wonderful time
of the year” … Jesus the Christ bridges the gap between sinful man and a Holy God.
Listen to the words of Anna the widow. Jesus has been brought into the Temple to be
dedicated to Jehovah in accordance to the Law (Luke 2:21-38). Anna, who was in her late 80s or early 90s,
prophesies about the future of the Christ child and the redemption of
Jerusalem. As Jerusalem is redeemed so
is the world, “for God so loved the world.”
John 3:16
In these three short verses, which reference Anna, the widow, and
daughter of Phanuel, we can learn the following life-lessons:
1. We don’t need to travel to advance the Kingdom of God. Anna stayed at the Temple giving herself to
prayer and fasting. Prayer is the real
battle; and, every widow can pray. C. H. Spurgeon said,
“Prayer moves the arm that moves the world.”
Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for the greater work;
prayer is the greater work." A. J.
Gordon said, “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you can never
do more than pray until you’ve first prayed. “
2. We don’t need to be eloquent or have a so-called prominent
position in the Church
(or “wherever”) to please God and advance the Kingdom. Anna had no special position or prominence, although I suspect she was well known because of her
commitment to the Temple and piety. Anna
simply made herself available to be used when needed. In this instance, God chose to use Anna to speak encouraging words
to Joseph and Mary and to assure them that what was spoken of the Child would truly take
place. I’m sure that Joseph and Mary
were not the only couple or family Anna encouraged and spoke words of wisdom
to.
3. There is still another lesson we can learn from this widow at
this Advent season. We can advance the Kingdom of God
by giving ourselves to worship. What is
worship? I love Rick Warren’s definition, the author of The Purpose Driven Life:
"Worship is bringing pleasure to God.” Jesus said if we give
a cup of cold water in His name, it will not go unrewarded. Would you not say that’s bringing pleasure to
God? Yes! Whenever we in humility serve our Creator and
Savior of the world we bring Him pleasure.
Sometimes as we get older we feel less needed and less
valuable. Don’t believe that lie! There is nothing more pleasurable to God than
loving on Him, praying for others and giving an encouraging word. So, at this season, and year round, let’s
learn from Anna the widow …the blessing is an encounter with the Son of God.
Message by Pastor J.Bruce Sofia
Senior Pastor of the Gloucester County Community Church in Sewell, New Jersey
I too love this time of year. My favorite is singing along with the Christmas Carols and some of the popular Christmas music. Now get comfortable, turn the sound up real loud, forget about the neighbors and sing along with the music. This will truly put you into the Christmas Spirit.
O Holy Night by Josh Groban
My love to all......
Dotti Ackerman
Director of FNF Blog
