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S. A. J. Lyttek, a multiple award-winning writer, always loved writing, but didn’t arrive at the profession in the typical manner. After college and graduate school, she plunged into government consulting. In this environment, she discovered a knack for writing tests, interviews and other measurements. That soon became the focus of her career—reigniting her love for the written word. Thus captivated, she spent evenings freelancing “fun” writing including short stories, poems, articles and cards. When her eldest was a toddler, she quit full-time work to stay home and write. Eager to spend more time with her children, homeschooling intrigued her. From preschool through high school, she homeschooled both sons while continuing to freelance. While an integral part of the homeschooling community, she developed and taught writing classes to a generation of homeschoolers. Married to her childhood sweetheart, Gary, Mrs. Lyttek loves to share her commitment to learners of all ages and her fascination with the written word.
Luke 2:36-38 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (HCSB)
Several years ago, I spent sixty days walking alongside Anna. The experience and the research amazed me and filled me with wonder about the intensely personal involvement of God in one woman’s life.
I learned a bit of what it was like to be a widow in her time. It’s hard to imagine such a dependent position. She lived the words that we call “the Lord’s Prayer” before Jesus uttered it in response to the disciples’ question. When she asked for daily bread, she knew it could only come through God. The account says she fasted and I have to wonder how many times she did without unintentionally and simply decided to focus on God since she was already without food. Since she didn’t leave the temple, essentially residing there as a sanctuary, it raises questions about what might happen to her (or could’ve happened to her as a young widow) outside of its walls.
I delved into the touch of God upon her family tree—preservation of the line of Asher through the repentance of a few obedient families and the call of King Hezekiah to worship. Through her eyes, I imagined the construction of Herod’s temple and how she lived among the rubble and building projects. Reading the few short verses, I could almost see the priests, scribes and Levites who walked past her day in and day out. Did some help her and provide her bread? Did some hire her to minister to visitors to the women’s court so that she could earn her provisions that way?
More importantly, though, that time, those sixty days, included a survey of the Scriptures that Anna might have heard as people worshipped about her, particularly Scriptures that prophesied and fueled Anna’s passion and hunger for the redemption of Jerusalem. She was on the lookout for the redemption of Jerusalem and all the people of Israel. With heightened awareness and interest, she was available to notice the Messiah when he showed up in front of her as a young baby.
‘That very moment’, whatever moment it might be, or might have been, Anna would speak to anyone who would listen about the promised Messiah, the hope of Israel. She spoke of Him—first of the promise before she saw the babe, but then of Jesus himself once she knew.
Remember, Anna knew. Whether through prophecy, divine insight, meeting with people who came to the temple, or a combination of all of these, Anna knew that Jesus was the Christ. It was because she acknowledged the fact that she spoke to all.
And Anna spoke up, confirming what Simeon said, while his words still echoed in the minds and hearts of those present. Her confirmation acted as the two-fold witness, the legal testimony that Jesus was who Simeon claimed.
Only those who longed for the redemption heard, but that didn’t stop her from speaking.
Nor should it stop us in our day. We have the whole of Scripture at our disposal. On this day, then a week from now on Christmas Day, then every day as long as we live in anticipation of the next coming, let us speak of the true redemption of Jerusalem in that future and perfect world.
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.