THE FINAL CAROL: ANNA’S SONG OF FAITHFULNESS

INTRODUCTION: THE QUIETEST CAROL OF CHRISTMAS

Throughout this series, we’ve listened to the great songs of Christmas—Mary, Zechariah, the angels, Simeon’s But today we end with a carol that has no lyrics recorded in Scripture. Anna’s song is not written—it is lived. Her life becomes a carol of devotion, perseverance, and praise.

“Have you ever seen those people who camp out in front of a store on Black Friday?

They bring tents, lawn chairs, coolers, generators — they’re not just waiting, they’re settled in.

Why? Because they believe what’s coming is worth the wait.

People will wait a long time for something they think is valuable.

But today, in Luke 2, we meet a woman who waited longer than any Black Friday line.

She didn’t wait a night.

She didn’t wait a weekend.

She waited decades — for the Messiah.”

SCRIPTURE READING

“Let’s read her story together…”

Luke 2:36–38 NIV

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

ANNA’S STORY: A LIFE MARKED BY LOSS AND LONGING

Her Widowhood

Married young, as most Jewish girls were (12–14).

Lived with her husband only seven years.

Then widowed—either or .for 84 years until she was 84 years old

If widowed for 84 years, she would have been around when she met Jesus.104 years old

Either way, she had lived decades——in grief, loneliness, and waiting.most of her life

Yet she never grew bitter. She grew devoted.

Her Tribe

From the tribe of Asher—one of the “lost tribes,” often overlooked.

God delights in raising up voices from forgotten places.

ANNA WAS A PROPHETESS — A WOMAN LED BY THE SPIRIT

Like Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife, and Philip’s daughters, Anna stands among the Spirit-inspired women of Scripture.

Her title tells us:

She heard God’s voice.

She spoke God’s truth.

She recognized God’s Messiah instantly.

Simeon sang by the Spirit. Anna spoke by the Spirit.

ANNA WAS DEVOTED — A LIFE OF WORSHIP

Luke says she:

Never left the temple

Worshiped night and day

Fasted and prayed

This wasn’t legalism. This was longing. This was love.

Her devotion wasn’t a moment—it was a lifetime.

Her life teaches us that worship is not an event. It is a posture.

ANNA TEACHES US TO WAIT WELL

Waiting is not passive. Waiting is not wasted. Waiting is not weakness.

Anna waited decades for the Messiah.

But she waited:

With expectation

With discipline

With hope

With faithfulness

She didn’t know when He would come. She only knew He would come.

Her waiting became worship.

ANNA WAS MOTIVATED — SHE MOVED TOWARD JESUS

Verse 38: “Coming up to them at that very moment…”

She didn’t hang back. She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t need confirmation.

The moment Jesus entered the room, she moved toward Him.

Faith moves. Faith responds. Faith recognizes Jesus when He appears.

ANNA WAS VOCAL — SHE COULDN’T KEEP THE GOOD NEWS TO HERSELF

Luke says she “spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

She became the first female evangelist of the New Testament.

Her message echoed Isaiah 52:9 “9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.”

Anna’s voice became a carol of redemption.

ANNA WAS THANKFUL — GRATITUDE WAS HER FIRST RESPONSE

Before she preached… Before she testified… Before she told anyone…

She gave thanks.

Gratitude is the first language of a heart that has seen Jesus.

CONCLUSION: ANNA’S CAROL FOR US TODAY

Anna teaches us:

You can worship through your wounds.

You can wait without losing heart.

You can live a life that sings even without words.

You can be used by God at any age.

You can point others to Jesus even if your story is marked by sorrow.

Her life is a carol—quiet, steady, faithful.

And tomorrow, as you preach this final message, you’ll help your people hear the song she still sings:

“He has come. He is here. He is the Redeemer.”