I know what the reason for the season is and I know what Christmas is all about. I mean, I try to remember the REAL reason for the season but in the middle of my decorating and the baking and the card writing and my partying and my hosting and my buying, it gets difficult. There is so much to do and being the “mom”, I gotta do it!
Its my own fault, really. The perfectionist in me says the house HAS to be this way, the cookies have to be baked (not bought), the cards HAVE to be sent, etc. etc. That’s part of Christmas. That’s how I celebrate Christmas anyway. (WRONG!)
Now, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, had it right, didn’t she? Luke 2 says:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
The woman just gave birth to the Savior of the world, she had no home, had no idea what the future held for them but she “treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” - what things?
Oh, maybe the angels that had just left them, the shepherds that came to visit, or how about the miracle lying in her arms. She, above anyone else, knew EXACTLY where He came from.
So I’m thinking she probably was trying to remember the first angel’s declaration to her that she would give birth to the Savior of the world, or maybe even the prophecy in Isaiah where he prophesied in Chapter 9:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
She knew those words, I'm sure and “pondered” that her child was the perfect fulfillment, the Messiah of the world! OMW I can’t even imagine how she felt or what she thought.
Maybe she was truly treasuring Who she held in her arms, and what this would mean to her, her people and the world.
This Christmas, I want to get it “right” – I want to ponder, I want to treasure “things” in my heart – things like:
Bell ringers on a cold night;
Dark skies with stars bright.
Arms full of packages bought;
Love shown in a “Christmas” thought.
Fires lit and smiling faces;
Family ties and comfortable places.
Mercy shown and peace given;
Savior born, a gift from heaven.
Can you do one thing for me this Christmas? Please take some time this Christmas and ponder . . . . . just ponder WHO exactly Jesus Christ is and treasure THAT in your heart. Get out your Bible, read stories (there's a great book, "Christmas Stories from the Heart" (compiled by Alice Gray)), listen to music, sit in front of the tree DOING NOTHING.
It takes time, dear friends, you can’t rush through it. That’s what “ponder” is all about - and the best part is, He will meet you RIGHT THERE – RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR “PONDER” and OMW – how much better can it get?!!!
May our hearts see . . . . . and stop to ponder!
Comments
Post a Comment