Luke 2:36-38

³⁶ Now 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; ³⁷ and 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. ³⁸ And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

 Simeon had testified that Jesus was Messiah, but a single testimony was not considered compelling in Judaism. Two or three were needed (cf. Deut. 19:15). Enter Anna, our second witness.

Like Simeon, she was old and faithful, making her testimony more compelling. But also, neither were in an official temple position (such as priest). Incredibly, we don't have the testimony of any priest who should have been the first to recognize the Christ baby. Instead we have a widow, who despite her faithfulness, vary well may have been marginalized by her religious community (how easy it is to do the same today to the old "odd balls" of the church!).

Perhaps that is why she wasn't able to witness to everyone about this child. Just "those who looked for redemption". Already we see two groups emerging. One who has fallen into the trap going through the ritual but forgetting the meaning ("time to go to temple, to pay tithe, etc."). And the other group who still longs for redemption.

As outward actions are probably similar, I'm sure it's difficult to separate the two groups, which is probably a good thing for us. So instead of judge, let's examine our own hearts and ask ourselves, "If my next time at Church an Anna speaks to me, will I listen? Do I long for redemption?"

Maybe it'll change our whole Church experience; especially the way we relate to the old "odd balls".