Advent Reading for December 19, 2023 | “Anna: A Prophetess for Jesus” from Luke 2:36-40

³⁶ And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, ³⁷ and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ And coming up at the very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-40

“Anna: A Prophetess for Jesus”
by Sarah Reeves

In Luke 2:36-40, we meet Anna who was a prophetess at a time when there were no prophets. Anna was Jewish, from the tribe of Asher. She was eighty-four years old and was widowed without any children. She had slowly watched as God stripped everything away from her, but she remained faithful. Anna believed the teachings from her childhood that one day the Messiah was coming, so she waited. She rarely left the temple as she prayed God would let her live to see the Messiah. Every day she worshiped at the temple and asked in her heart, “Will today be the day He comes?”

The long-awaited day finally came. Joseph and Mary brought their eight-day old son Jesus to the temple for His circumcision. Anna and her friend Simeon, who had also been waiting a long time for the Messiah, were overjoyed that God had let them recognize Him!

This touching story is such a reminder for us to never give up. We all face sorrows, tragedies, and heartaches in this life. We all lose our beloved family and friends. We ourselves have illnesses and pain. We all get discouraged, heartbroken, and sometimes bitter and mad at God for allowing those things to happen. There are broken homes and broken hearts. But in the middle of all these things there is one thing that has never changed: God is still on His throne!

He still loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for you (John 3:16)! So, let’s be like Anna and trust Him and know He is coming back just as He promised!

Reflection Questions:

1. Anna’s life was marked by patience, faithfulness, and hope – devoted to God’s promise – despite experiencing immense loss personally. How does her perseverance challenge your understanding of faithfulness amid personal struggle and hardships?
2. Anna’s unwavering faith allowed her to recognize Jesus for who He truly is – the Messiah. How can her story serve as an example for us in the world today?
3. In today’s devotion, Ms. Sarah characterized Anna with the question: “Will today be the day Jesus comes?” How can living our lives with the expectant hope of Anna, asking ourselves, “Will today be the day Jesus comes back?”

"Adorned with the Word: Praise" from Colossians 3:16 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) – Refresh & Restore | A JustKeithHarris.com Podcast

Today's Bible study looks at what the contents of our musical worship is supposed to be according to Colossians 3:16. You can find the written form of this Bible study, along with cross-references and footnotes, here.

1. "Adorned with the Word: Praise" from Colossians 3:16 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) 28:27
2. "Adorned with the Word: Preaching" from Colossians 3:15-17 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) 33:14
3. "Adorned with Thankfulness" from Colossians 3:15-17 (Refresh & Restore: Colossians — Jesus Over All) 22:14
4. Advent 2023 — Christmas, December 25 | "The Light of the World is Here!" 10:56
5. Advent 2023 — Christmas Eve, December 24 | "Good News of Great Joy, or The Weary World Rejoices" 11:04