Daily Devotional for Friday 29th December
Day 5 - Anna
This week the devotionals are focussed on people who were there at the first Christmas. We will follow a simple pattern:
1. Read the bible. Hear God’s word to us.
2. Reflect on an aspect of the passage with a focus on a person.
3. Pray. We will pray the same prayer at the end of each day’s devotional.
Our aim is that the simplicity and repetition will help us draw closer to Jesus this Christmas whatever we’re going through at the moment.
We pray that we’re built up and encouraged in our walk with Jesus – whether that’s in our: sadness or happiness, busyness or quietness, in the company of others or loneliness.
Read: Luke 2:36-38
Time to reflect…
After the warning that Simeon just gave Mary about Jesus, Anna showed up with a timely reminder about what Jesus was going to accomplish. Anna was a committed lady of faith who, since the death of her husband, committed her whole life to worshipping God ‘night and day.’
In verse 38, we see the way she reacted to Jesus’ birth – She praised God and told people about Jesus. She wasn’t afraid of what people thought – if they thought she was crazy or not, she spoke the truth and trusted in God. How reassuring must it have been for Mary & Joseph to hear Anna’s message about the redemption that Jesus was going to bring to His people?
Having a cheeky glance forward to v39 we read that Mary & Joseph are now ready to return to Nazareth after completing everything required of them in the law. This is another reminder for us of their inspirational obedience.
Do you take all opportunities God gives you to tell others about Jesus?
How could you be more like Anna in this regard this season?
Pause to pray…
Heavenly Father, we pray that as we reflect on the people who were there at Jesus’ birth, you would prepare us by your Holy Spirit for Jesus’ return.
We pray that we would be so amazed by your grace and love for us that our praise and thankfulness would overflow this Christmas time, so that those around us would learn of your love for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
