Luke 2:36-38  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, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 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. (NLT)

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It’s wonderful when other people catch one of your children doing something right and compliment them. The compliment feels like an affirmation of your parenting. 

Jesus hadn’t done anything yet but be born, but two devout believers who had spent long years anticipating God’s kindness experienced what they had been waiting for and expressed their joy to Mary and Joseph and everyone else within hearing. 

Little Old Anna, perhaps a Little Odd Old Anna to many, heard Simeon, saw Jesus, gave thanks to God, and began telling everyone their Redeemer was here. 

What a start to the story! 

Shepherds, who smelled a lot like sheep, and who would not have been welcome in fine homes or inns, got to see Jesus first. Then an old man on his way to Heaven got to see what he had been waiting for. Then an even older woman told everyone listening what was happening. 

These were not random, accidental occurrences. These were God’s moves on the chessboard of humanity. He put the right people in the right place at the right time. 

If Mary had a bead on a necklace for every such encounter, her necklace would be full. 

The Welcoming Committee for Jesus seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? 

The ending of the movie The Nativity sums up what we see in Luke 1 and 2. The young woman portraying Mary looks at the shepherds who are gathering around her as she holds the baby. An old man reaches out to touch this precious little one. Mary says, “He is for all mankind.” 

All mankind. All people. Everyone. From Everywhere. 

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I will celebrate our Savior who is for all people everywhere.

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Our Father, thank you for including everyone, even us, in those you seek to include in your forever family. Amen.