Joy To Your World - Children's Advent DevotionalSample

Anna was possibly more than one hundred years old. We know she was a widow and a prophetess, meaning a teller of God’s word. The Bible says that Anna was only married for seven years before her husband passed away. Scripture says Anna “did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:37). The temple had small rooms built into the walls. Anna might have lived in one of those rooms.

It’s quite possible that Anna knew Simeon and was aware of his prophetic word from God. The Bible doesn’t make it clear how she heard Simeon’s message about Jesus. But, when she did, “she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). The word about Jesus was starting to spread!

The list of people who knew about Jesus is interesting. They were ordinary people from many walks of life and many different circles. They were people like us today. Christians can be found in almost every culture. Christ’s birth will be celebrated in churches throughout the world. Some congregations are very small and worship quietly, hidden from their culture. Others are large and worship freely in their societies.

Anna said that Jesus was born to bring about the redemption of Jerusalem. Simeon said that Jesus would bring salvation to all people. But the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, only a few people knew he was their Messiah. The Psalmist wrote, “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” Aren’t you glad for the people who shared the gospel with you?

Your Christmas celebration is forever changed because of the people who shared the message of Christ with you. Simeon and Anna told the people their Messiah had come. Who will you share that good news with this Christmas?