URC Daily Devotion 27 December 2024

St Luke 2: 36 – 38

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Reflection

Today we would probably discourage anyone from dedicating every hour of every day to our local church.  In these verses, however, we catch a glimpse of the Prophetess Anna who has dedicated her life, following the death of her husband, to prayer and fasting in the temple.  According to Luke she is very old.  She has spent years in this way.  She has seen people come and go.  She has probably blessed many.  For those younger people visiting the temple, she might have seemed to be part of the ‘old regime.’  

Anna encounters Jesus and his parents.  In him she catches a glimpse of God and her hopes from the future.  She blesses him.  Despite her great age Anna is looking towards the future and God’s continuing work. 

We spend our lives in a variety of ways.  Some of us are prayer warriors.  Many of us give ourselves to working for God in church and in community settings–in paid and volunteer roles.  Some days we may be tempted to despair–for our world can feel very broken.  When our church is closing, when wars continue to rage, when people can’t pay their bills, when crops fail and people are hungry, we may wonder where God is at work?  How can the future be shaped by the love, justice and mercy embodied in Jesus?  

If Anna had those fears at any point in her life, they were refocused in the hope and love she saw in Jesus, even as a wee one.  As we have again welcomed the wee Jesus, we have caught a glimpse of love, justice and mercy embodied in him.  Like Anna may we turn from the past and focus on the hope of the future found in him.  In our daily lives may we find ways to look forward in faith and embody the love, justice and mercy found in Jesus.  

Prayer

May we turn from idolising the past to watching for signs of God in the present.  
May we give ourselves to God’s work, wherever we find ourselves.
May we, young and old, bless those we encounter.  
May we give ourselves to creating a future which embodies the Kingdom of God.  Amen.