A Christmas of Devotion: Learning from Anna

By Lilly Wooten, Christian Life Director 

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Every year since I was a little girl, my family has taken turns reading Luke 2 on Christmas Eve. From the oldest to the youngest, you couldn’t wait for it to be your turn. All eyes on you, the room silent, Christmas tree lights glistening as you proudly proclaimed the meaning of Christmas… Jesus was born! It’s a story many of you are probably familiar with, and so was I… or so I thought. 

Luke 2 is often associated, and rightfully so, with Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, the wise men, the gifts, the manger, and the angel proclaiming, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people!” But it wasn’t until it was my turn to read the Christmas story aloud to my family that I noticed another character tucked quietly into the passage—someone often overlooked: the prophetess Anna. Her story appears in just three short verses in Luke 2:36–38, yet it is rich with meaning. 

“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, 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. And coming up at that 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 2:36–38, ESV) 

The Gospel of Luke is intentional to mention Anna, alongside Simeon, as one of the first people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah after His birth. Her life is marked by faithfulness and devotion to prayer, fasting, and the presence of God as she awaited her Savior. As we reflect on our own lives this Christmas season, I believe there are three truths we can learn from Anna’s example. 

First, Scripture tells us Anna was widowed after only seven years of marriage, and during this time the average age of marriage would have been around fourteen. Like Anna, many of us know what it feels like to walk through trials - losing a loved one, not making the team, relationship struggles, financial burdens, a scary diagnosis, a wayward child, or life plans suddenly falling apart. Our response is often the same: heavy hearts. Because we live in a broken world, facing trials will be part of our story. Maybe you’re entering the Christmas season with a heavy heart—tired, overwhelmed, and unsure of what lies ahead. I can only imagine how young Anna felt after losing her husband: the tears, the heartache, the questions. Yet even through her pain, Scripture shows how she responded as she waited for the coming Messiah. 

Secondly, instead of withdrawing from God, Anna devoted herself to Him. Luke’s gospel tells us that she did not depart from the temple as she spent her time worshiping, fasting, and praying day and night. Her life is a picture of lifelong faithfulness in every season. Prayer and fasting weren’t just rituals; they were the rhythm of her entire life. And the Lord rewarded her faithfulness. She saw Jesus. If Anna eagerly sought God while awaiting the Messiah, how much more should we, who know that He has come, be eager to spend time with Him?Anna witnessed God’s faithfulness because she remained faithful to Him, despite her heartache. What an example to us! That we, too, would devote ourselves to knowing our Savior more deeply as we celebrate the very season of His coming. 

Lastly, Anna did not keep the good news to herself. Anna was among the first to honor Jesus by telling others that the long-awaited Messiah had come and the prophecies were being fulfilled. A life of devotion naturally led her to a posture of thanksgiving and proclamation. She immediately began giving thanks and speaking to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Shouldn’t this be our posture this Christmas? To give thanks for the true meaning of Christmas and to joyfully share the good news - that our Savior has come, and He is coming again! 

So as you approach this Christmas season, I encourage you: be like Anna. Despite the season you may be facing, devote yourself to the promise of what is to come. We live in the “already but not yet.” Christ has come, and He will return. So how much more should we be devoted as we wait?