[Advent] The Joy of Anna
“Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9)
Let’s imagine a little today.
You’re seven years old again. It’s a few days before Christmas, and a big box has appeared under the tree. And it’s just the right size to be that thing you’ve been wanting so badly. (What is it for young you – perhaps a bike? A game? A sled? Fancy shoes?)
It feels like Christmas morning will never get here. Hours stretch by with hope and longing. But sure enough – 25 December, you race to the tree and rip off the wrappings. It’s exactly what you had been hoping for everyday for so long! Your shouts of joy ring through the house.
It feels almost a bit silly to use such a small, material example when thinking of Advent – a time of such significant longing for so profound a thing as a Savior. But children’s feelings are so strong and unencumbered. We can put ourselves in their shoes – and experience empathy for greater expressions of those feelings, too.
When Jesus was born, Israel had been longing for God. His silence had stretched on for centuries. Their great hope for a Redeemer was coated with the pain of oppression and loneliness.
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:36-38
Advent trivia of the day: did you know Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies? Some scholars believe it was even more than 400.
Today we consider another minor character in the Nativity story: Anna.
If anyone knew the Scripture and its prophecies, I imagine it would be Anna. She had only been married to her husband for seven years before he died. Then, the Bible tells us she “was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (v. 37).
While we don’t have a lot of details about Anna’s life, women were often married very young at that time. She could easily have been living this life of constant communion and worship for over 60 years.
Anna also would have been deeply familiar with the communal longing of her people for the Messiah promised in those prophecies. The verse at the top of this post is one of them, where Isaiah prophesies joy that would spring up out of ruins.
Then something incredible happens. Anna joins the prophets herself.
When the baby Jesus is brought into the temple by his parents, she recognizes him. Her own deep ache of longing is immediately transformed into a deep well of joy.
The way Scripture puts it – “coming up to them at that very moment” – gives us a sense of the momentum Anna carries with her as she recognizes Jesus as Israel’s Savior. Her joy – born from a deep understanding of the implications of his birth – propels her toward him.
And Anna is so ready to speak! Her joy propelled her toward others, too. She “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (v. 38). She became an instant, far-reaching evangelist after a mere glimpse at the fulfillment of Israel’s longing.
Our Own Ready to Speak Reflection
How does consistent, private devotion empower us to share the joy of message of Christ with others?
Listening to Joy
Hymn: Go Tell It On The Mountain
Anna was ready to spread her joyful news “over the hills and everywhere!” She immediately proclaimed the news of the Messiah to everyone waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (I love the sheer joy in this version!)
Song: Joy to the World
The ultimate song of Advent Joy. Anna’s lifetime of dedication prepared her heart to be one of the first to recognize and immediately share this overwhelming, world-changing news. The world needs joy as much now as ever. Ask God to increase your joy this Advent season.
