Anna, she’d seen them come and go,

power greedy, denying the poor.

She’d wept for men and women alike, 

abused, oppressed and separated out.

Daily she exchanges her prayer filled cell,

for the temple, glorious in its abundant splendour.

…

Simeon, faithful in prayer and living,

seeking daily the face of God, turns to 

God’s Holiest word and the Spirit inspiring

Says to the old man, ‘Come and See!’

and there, in the teeming, noisy temple

he sees them, a loving, fearful family.

….

The red faced crying babe hiding his face,

in the already damp robe of his mother,

who clutching him to her, with Jospeh,

hesitating amidst the market confusion,

Simeon feels the Spirit burning in his soul,

and praises God for the arrival of Salvation.

……

Gazing with joy at the bonny child,

his voice is heard throughout that space

Anna hears, her heart filling with awe, as

God answers her 80 year prayerful praise.

Tears fill her eyes as Simeon speaks,

of a light to lighten all, no nation left out,

….

of a sword to pierce a mother’s heart,

of salvation, God’s reconciliation no doubt.

Stunned Mary and Joseph wend their way,

the pigeons sufficed, the law fulfilled

their child a Saviour, God’s own gift,

to enable that which God has truly willed.

…..

Bowed with age the prophets leave,

a life well lived in prayerful service, 

their prayers wholly answered,

the Saviour is here.