Pondering

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

Of all the verses surrounding Jesus' birth in the gospels, this one line in Luke's story shouts to me from the Word of God. Can you see her? It's hard to envision her when we're surrounded by store ads with the latest and greatest gift ideas in the newspaper and on the Internet and television. The Sony Wii is getting a lot more attention than her.

Focus. Try real hard to look through the ornaments, trees, gift wrap and endless lists of Christmas gift ideas. She's there. At the foot of a manger. She's tired, her body is depleted of blood, water and energy. She has just given birth to her salvation, and ours. She did it without a labor delivery room, doctor or even a midwife. No epidural and the smell of manure is in the air. Her husband, an honorable and faithful man who must have had as many questions as her stands by her side with a bunch of animals. Shepherds come to see the child and explain how angels told them the news.

Hearing their story and reflecting on all that has happened since the angel, Gabriel visited her with the news, she stops and ponders. She is taking it all in and she is treasuring it all in her heart. What are you thinking about? What are you pondering? In the years to follow her Son would say these words in perhaps His greatest sermon: "For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also." She is treasuring this incredible story of faith and God's sovereignty. What are you treasuring this Advent? We would do well to follow her lead at Advent. She simply made herself available and willingly served God to accomplish His purpose for the world. So should we. God bless you Mary, mother of Jesus, our Savior. Thank you for your example and faithfulness even when you didn't fully understand. May we be as faithful!