The Twenty Eighth Day of Advent, 2016

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Christmas Eve

At the very time Simeon was praying, she [Anna] showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.  Luke 2:38 MSG

I love Anna. She represents many things that I long to be. She faithfully went to the temple area to worship. She fasted and prayed. Her husband had died after a very short marriage – seven years – and for the rest of her earthly years God had been the focus of her life!

When she saw Joseph, Mary, and the Baby Jesus, The Message says she burst forth in an anthem. I guess it would be safe to say that she just couldn’t stand to be quiet! She had to sing! Nothing in the text tells me that her voice was lovely or her anthem angelic! After all, she was 84 years old, and her anthem may have cracked and squeaked a bit! But that didn’t stop her. She sang!

Even old ladies burst forth singing when they come face to face with the living God! I guess that’s another reason that I like Anna. Though I am not as old as she, I am certainly no longer young. I know I can’t sing anymore, at least not the quality that would qualify me for anybody’s choir. But as I approach this time of year to celebrate the coming of Christ, into not just this big wide world but my little corner of it, I just cannot help it! I want to sing!

Father, the psalm says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. That may be all I can manage – noise. But my heart is so full, so I am grateful that you will accept my “joyful noise.”

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.