Last Sunday, I preached on Luke 2:22-35 regarding Jesus’ dedication in the Temple and the reaction of old Simeon.  What a powerful passage to see how God works to confirm and clarify His will through his people. 

But as I mentioned at the end of the service, there was another character in this story we did not have time to examine… she too was elderly and a special servant of the Lord.  Her name is Anna.  She had married then was quickly widowed ... after that, she dedicated her life in service to the Lord.  Here is what Luke tells us:

 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.                                                                  Luke 2:36-38

 In the 14^th century, artist Ambrogio Lorenzetti depicted this event in the following painting:

Later, in the 19^th century, the event was depicted in this wood carving:

Here is what we need to learn from Anna today …. She did not keep the amazing news of the Messiah to herself!  Luke 2:38 says she …spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. The Christmas holiday is a great time to introduce people to faith in Christ.  People are more aware of the things in their life that truly matter … as well as the things that matter and are missing!  My current sermon series is intended to explain the fuller implications of Christ’s birth and death and look at some of the many gifts we receive because of Jesus.

 Every Sunday I will share the clear gospel and give people an opportunity to receive Christ.  Last Sunday, we had 7 people (1 child, 1 teenager and 5 adults) pray to receive Christ in just our late service alone!

Who has God placed in your life who needs to hear about Jesus?  On the home page of our website you can use the Evite or you can just ask them in person to join us for worship this Sunday.  I have some neighbors that I know God wants me to invite join us.  Lets all:

1. Pray
2. Invite
3. Reach out and make everyone's guests feel welcome on Sunday!
   

The greatest way we can celebrate Christmas is to participate in the very reason FOR Christmas … God reconciling lost people to himself.

See you Sunday!