Luke 2: 36-40
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.
Comment:
Anna – ancient, sold out to God – like Simeon sees in Jesus the fulfillment of all her longing. And she couldn’t help sharing her vision of Jesus was and what he was to become.
But the little family have to get back to their home in Nazareth, Galilee. In a book which covers a life time in relatively few pages we are left to work out the time line between Matthew and Luke’s records. But they can both be correct but seen from slightly different angles.
Prayer: Help me to discern the truth in all of this, please.
As I read it! 