Queen Anne Christian Church January 1, 2012 36 There was also a
prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven
years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of
eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with
fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and
began to praise God and to speak about the child* to all who
were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When they had
finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they
returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child
grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of
God was upon him. Who is this woman Anna and what does she have
to do with the circumcision and naming of Jesus. She is
mentioned only once in scripture and the only information we
have about her is in these three verses, not a lot to go on. We
don’t even know if Anna really existed, she may be a creation of
Luke because the role Anna p