There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him (Lk 2:36-40)
Anna was a prophetess. She has also spent all her life in the Temple. We know well the status of a woman in the Jewish religion and also in the Temple. Every male Jew would pray and thank God for not creating him a woman. Yet Anna was considered a prophetess and her prophecy is included in the scriptures. Scriptures give importance to her because she was also waiting for the arrival of the Messiah. She was also observant of the laws and spent her time in prayer and fasting.
Her prophecy was to thank God and speak about the child. Yes the prophet or the prophecy should always acknowledge God and his activities in the world and then also acknowledge the presence of God in what is happening in the world at his/her times. Acknowledgement of God’s existence and God’s presence in the world at one’s own time compels one to prophecy.
The child Jesus grew in age and wisdom as any other child would grow. Jesus had a normal, human growth. He grew in a family, in a village (Nazareth) that is in the context of the society. But his growth was not only human and social but also divine because he found favour with God. It is this that makes the child and his growth an integral growth.
