Session 10 – Lesser-Known Women of the Bible; Anna the Prophetess: Mark Lanier, 12/15/24

Who is “ATP”? No, not adenosine triphosphate — Anna the Prophetess! In this Christmas-season Bible study on lesser-known women of the Bible, we dig into Luke chapter 2 and uncover the story of three witnesses to the birth of Jesus: the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna the Prophetess.

We start with the shepherds “living outside” in the fields near Bethlehem, exploring the possible connection to Migdal Eder (the Tower of the Flock) and the fascinating rabbinic laws around shepherds and sacrificial lambs. We look at how an angel appeared to these overlooked, marginalized workers first — and trace the words “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” back through Jerome’s Latin Vulgate to the original Greek.

Next, we turn to Simeon in the temple, a righteous man who was promised he would not die before seeing the Messiah. We explore his song, the Nunc Dimittis, its Latin origins, and its place in Christian tradition through the centuries — including a Gregorian chant version and a contemporary rendition.

Finally, we meet Anna the Prophetess herself: a widow of great age from the “lost” tribe of Asher, who never left the temple, worshiping and fasting night and day. We discuss her significance as a marginalized woman prophesying about Christ, and how she may have been among the very first evangelists.

Along the way, we also have some fun — tracing the origins of the 12 Days of Christmas song and even pricing out what all those gifts (yes, including 12 drummers drumming) would actually cost today.

This lesson is a call to marvel at God’s work, wait on Him with patience, and be bold witnesses for Christ — just as the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna were.

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