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.
—Luke 2:33-40
See, the outer walls are crumbling;
shadows make another night,
yet this temple that you come to
inwardly is gleaming bright.
Here is hope forever kindled
as a sanctuary flame.
All elsewhere its light has dwindled;
here alone it burns the same.
Yet the flask of oil is empty:
Grace alone this flame has fed
as it fills her hands in begging.
You supply both oil and bread.
Every day she comes to worship,
trusting what she cannot see.
Until you dismiss your servant,
she will praise your mystery.
Come, O Lord, to this your temple:
Show yourself, oh! fill her sight!
She has waited, ever faithful:
Son of God, reveal your light.
Anna the Prophetess, By Rembrandt – The Yorck Project (2002) 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei (DVD-ROM), distributed by DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH. ISBN: 3936122202., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157873
Kate Bluett 