As I was reading the Christmas story, I came across this incredible person by the name of Anna—and I was genuinely stirred. Not because she was center stage. Not because she was famous. Not because she had a title that impressed the world. But because she carried something heaven celebrates: the gift of affirmation.
Anna is one of those “quiet” heroes of Scripture. The kind of person many would overlook. The kind of person the world might assume is living in obscurity. Yet the Bible makes it clear: God saw her. God positioned her. God trusted her with a moment that would echo through history.
Anna’s Story in the Christmas Narrative
Luke introduces her with surprising detail:
Luke 2:36 (NLT)
“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years.”
Think about what Luke is telling us in a few short lines:
- Anna was a prophet—she had spiritual sensitivity and discernment.
- She had a painful story—widowed after only seven years of marriage.
- She lived a long stretch of life (84 years) where many would have assumed her “best days” were behind her.
- Yet she remained planted in the presence of God.
Luke continues:
Luke 2:37 (NLT)
“Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.”
That line gets me every time: “She never left the Temple.” In other words, she didn’t let disappointment turn into distance. She didn’t let loss turn into bitterness. She didn’t let years of waiting convince her that God had forgotten her.
Instead, she kept showing up.
God Uses “Second Voices”
One of the most beautiful things about Anna is when she appears. Simeon has already spoken prophetically over Jesus. The spotlight moment is happening. And then Luke says, almost quietly, that Anna was there too.
And what does she do?
Luke 2:38 (NLT)
“She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”
Anna is not competing with Simeon. She’s not correcting Simeon. She’s not trying to “one-up” Simeon. She’s not looking for attention. She steps into the moment with a heaven-sent assignment: to confirm, to affirm, and to strengthen the faith of those who were waiting for redemption.
This is what I want you to see: God doesn’t only use people who initiate moments—He also uses people who confirm them.
God doesn’t only anoint the “first voice”—He also anoints the second voice.
And often, that second voice is what gives people the courage to believe, to keep praying, and to keep moving forward.
Like the Apostle Paul said:
“After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8 NLT
The Gift of Affirmation Is Not Small
We live in a world full of criticism. A world that tears down quickly. A world that assumes the worst. But the kingdom of God is different. Scripture repeatedly shows us the power of a strengthening word spoken at the right time.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
“So encourage each other and build each other up…”
Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
“The tongue can bring death or life…”
Isaiah 50:4 (NLT)
“The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.”
Anna shows us that affirmation is not flattery. It’s not hype. It’s not pretending everything is perfect. It is Spirit-led confirmation that strengthens what God is doing in someone’s life.
There are people God has called to initiate. And there are people God has called to affirm.
And the truth is: the world may celebrate the initiators—but heaven deeply honors the affirmers.
Anna’s Hidden Life Was Not Wasted
Here’s one of the most encouraging lessons from Anna: years of “hiddenness” are not years of uselessness.
When Anna walked into the Temple that day, she didn’t suddenly become faithful. She was faithful long before anyone noticed. Her moment of impact was built on a lifetime of worship, prayer, fasting, and quiet devotion.
Anna reminds us that obscurity is not absence. It’s often preparation.
And if you’ve ever felt overlooked… if you’ve ever felt like your role is “small”… if you’ve ever wondered whether your quiet faithfulness matters… Anna’s story answers that question with a holy “YES.”
Practical Application: Be an Anna This Week
I want to make this practical, because the Bible isn’t given to impress us—it’s given to transform us.
Ask yourself:
- Who in my life needs a strengthening word right now?
- Who is carrying a burden quietly and could use encouragement?
- Who is serving faithfully but rarely gets noticed?
- Who is waiting on God and needs a confirming voice to keep believing?
Then do what Anna did: praise God and speak hope. Be the person who builds up instead of tearing down. Be the voice that confirms what God is doing. Be the encourager who helps someone else keep going.
A Prayer for the “Anna” Calling
Father, thank You for the gift of affirmation. Thank You for people like Anna—faithful, prayerful, steady, and powerful in ways the world often overlooks. I pray for every reader who feels hidden, overlooked, or underestimated. Let them know that You see them, You remember them, and You are using their faithfulness in ways they may never fully understand on this side of eternity.
Lord, give us wisdom to encourage the weary. Give us discernment to speak words that strengthen, confirm, and build. Make us people who carry hope, not criticism; comfort, not condemnation. And today, use our words to point someone to Jesus—the true Redeemer we’ve been waiting for. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Before You Go…
Thank you for reading. If this encouraged you, would you do three simple things?
- Comment below: Have you ever had someone’s encouragement change your day—or your direction?
- Share this post with someone who needs a strengthening word.
- Go affirm somebody today. Send a text. Make a call. Write a note. Speak life. Be an Anna.
Because sometimes the world is changed not by the loudest voice… but by the confirming voice God places in the right moment.
Share this:
Discover more from gregmauro.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.