Thursday, December 12

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she
entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice
she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!
Luke 1:39-42
Anna: The Prophetess whose life was hope
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Asher she was of great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of
about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke 2:36-38

Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. Apparently, her father’s name had been taken
from the Phanuel, the place where Jacob wrestled with God face to face.
Anna’s name means gracious. She seems to have been a person of enormous
devotion, one who lived as though face to face with God, ever receiving His grace
and sharing His grace with others. She never lost hope over many years. She never
grew bitter in the face of sorrow. She never ceased to worship, and she shared the
message of hope with all believers.

There had not been a prophet in Israel for some three hundred years, yet God raised
up a prophet. Women leaders were very rare in that day. She was apparently a very
special person, one who loved God and hoped in God with all her being. She was
constantly studying the word of God that she might be approved of God in order to
proclaim the riches of His grace. The point is this, Anna’s hope was in GOD;
therefore, God blessed her greatly. God will always bless the person who hopes in
Him.

A wonderful gift we as Christians can give this Christmas, is the Good News
message of eternal HOPE and salvation because of Jesus Christ.

IHS                                                   
Gene and Mary Jo Cumbia (2009)