Advent Meditation: Recognizing Jesus

In Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, he carefully includes both men and women who play significant roles in the divine narrative. We see this in the stories of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, and toward the end of the birth narrative, Simeon and Anna. This portion of scripture highlights Anna, a prophetess, as one of the first people to recognize Jesus. Anna, whose Hebrew name is Hanna, means “He has favored me.” Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Asher’s name means “Face of God.” In Hebrew culture, names often foreshadow the destiny of an individual. 

Luke 2:36-38 tells us, “There was also a prophet, 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 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 thanked God and spoke about the child to all looking forward to Jerusalem’s Redemption.” 

Anna, a prophetess from the tribe of Asher, was married for only seven years before becoming a widow. Now 84 years old, she had dedicated her life to worshipping at the temple, fasting and praying day and night. 

Because Anna spent so much time with God— worshipping, fasting, and praying—she had cultivated a deep spiritual awareness. She had honed her spiritual gift of discernment because she intimately knew God due to her devotion. This profound connection enabled her to recognize Jesus as the Messiah when she saw Him. She knew God and could see His face in the holy child, living into the prophetic meaning of her and her father’s names. 

Anna’s life teaches us a powerful lesson about spiritual alertness. Her constant devotion allowed her to see God’s presence in the infant Jesus. In a world full of distractions, do we spend enough time worshipping, praying, and fasting to recognize God in our lives? Are we mindful to seek His presence in our daily routine? 

Anna’s story also reminds us that recognizing Jesus also leads to action. Upon seeing Jesus as the long-awaited One, Anna did not keep her great joy to herself. She immediately spoke about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Her recognition of the promised Messiah compelled her to share the good news. 

During this Advent season, let us take inspiration from Anna. Let us intentionally nurture our relationship with God through worship, prayer, and fasting. By doing so, we too can foster the spiritual sensitivity needed to recognize Jesus in our lives and in the world around us. Like Anna, may our recognition of Christ make us eager to share His love and truth with those around us.