The visit to the Temple in Jerusalem that we read about in Luke chapter 2 was quite significant - it fulfilled the dictates of the Law, and offered two individuals the chance to behold the Christ Child, and to proclaim the truth of the identity of Jesus. We read:
36Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;37and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.38And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.39So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
One lesson from the story of Anna is that our encounters with Jesus can produce a sense of thanksgiving in our hearts. Anna was faithful to serve the Lord, and responded to the coming of Jesus into the Temple by giving thanks and then proclaiming His truth to, as we read, "all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
We can take time to express our gratitude to our great God for sending Jesus into the world to bring redemption for us and to allow Him to use us to demonstrate His presence in our lives. As we anticipate what God will do in our lives, we know that He will show Himself to be faithful and to demonstrate His presence through those who are faithful to Him.
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