NATIVITY By Mike Herron

agonizing crucifixion and piercing of her son on the cross. ‘One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.’ (Jn 19:34 NLT) 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 is described as a female prophet, ' prophetis.' She most likely was 105 years old considering most Jewish girls were married at 14. Penuel, the name of her father, is the location where Jacob met God face to face. The naming of her tribe identifies her as a true Israelite. She was a living pillar of the Temple serving God continually by three powerful spiritual disciplines; worship, fasting and prayer. ‘Anna’s fasting is an expression of her hope, a form of prayer entreating God to set things right.’ 7 She, like Simeon her male counterpart, is led by the Spirit to the holy family in the midst of the crowded Temple. She begins speaking repeatedly what Simeon has just announced. This baby boy is the answer to the prayers of the many worshipers who were eagerly awaiting the arrival of God’s Messiah. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. It is uncertain how the visit of the Wise Men and the escape to Egypt fits in with their return to Nazareth at this point.