Anna

 

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

their marriage, and then was a widow until she

was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but

worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Luke 2:36-37 

As soon as Simeon had finished speaking to Joseph and Mary, another elderly parishioner joined the conversation.  She was a very aged widow who was a constant presence at the Temple, worshiping, fasting and praying.  Luke records that she also came up to Jesus' parents, gave thanks to God, and then spoke about the infant to anyone who would listen - all those who were "...looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem."

Mary and Joseph must have been both humbled and encouraged by the recognition of their child as the Messiah by these two pillars of Israel.  Simeon and Anna spoke about the mission and life of this baby in the same way that the angel had in his visitation to each of His parents.  If they had maintained any doubts about the message of the angel, this was a powerful affirmation of the heavenly messenger's words.

Luke says that after Joseph and Mary had accomplished everything required by the Law for both Mary and the child, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  In so doing, Luke leaves out a huge portion of the Christmas story.