Mary Treasured These Things and Pondered Them in Her Heart
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)
Mary’s delivery had been a private experience. Now a bunch of strangers show up. They’re nearby shepherds who have left their sheep unattended to make a surprise visit.
Jesus might only be a few hours old at this time. What began as a private experience between Mary, Joseph, and some farm animals has turned into a public event.
The shepherds have an astonishing story to share. They talk about an angel giving them a surprising message. Having experienced this herself nine months earlier, Mary knows all about angels delivering messages from God.
But these shepherds also talk about a heavenly host praising God for the baby Mary has just birthed.
This reminds her of what Gabriel had earlier told her about who Jesus would become and what he would do, confirming the angel’s words and his extraordinary prophecy.
The last nine months have certainly been an incredible experience for Mary. It is indeed something to ponder and treasure. In addition to the miracle of birth, Mary’s pregnancy has been surrounded by astonishing, unprecedented events.
First there was Gabriel’s pronouncement that she would conceive through the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Savior that her people had been expecting for centuries, as foretold by the prophets.
Then there was Elizabeth’s pregnancy in her old age, her being filled with the Holy Spirit, and having baby John leap for joy inside his mother’s womb at the mere sound of Mary’s voice.
Next there was Joseph receiving supernatural insight through a dream. He stuck by Mary when the religiously proper thing to do—the socially expected response—would be to sever all ties with her for a pregnancy he had nothing to do with.
Now these shepherds show up with more astounding news.
It’s a lot to contemplate, and it’s a lot for Mary to treasure in her heart and ponder.
How well do we do at pondering the good news of Jesus?
Do we treasure in our hearts the many things he did for us—and continues to do?
Prayer: Help us to never forget, Lord, the awe of Jesus’s amazing, supernatural arrival here on earth. May we treasure his birth in our hearts and never stop pondering what he has done for us.
[This devotional is taken from the December 25 reading from The Advent of Jesus.]
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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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