Pause and Ponder

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

We read the Christmas story from the book of Luke every year on Christmas Day before opening our presents. It was a tradition that I loved.

As I have been considering this Christmas season, The Scripture above keeps coming to mind. We’ve had a lot going on this December. It’s already a busy month just because of Christmas. But it’s also the end of the year. Things at work are busy.

Then I got sick with the flu for 10 days, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, plans that I had made were skipped over because I was too sick to do them.

Just in general as a wife and mom who also works two jobs, life can get overwhelming. Throw in wanting this season to be special, and your ‘to-do’ list can consume your thoughts.

The Lord kept reminding me to take a minute and be quiet.

This verse came to mind again and again. Things were not calm for Mary. We sing of ‘Silent Night’, but I really don’t think it was. All the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus were kind of crazy, and traumatic. Here she was, an unwed mother, surely being judged by all those around her.

Now she has to travel to another city right before her baby is supposed to be born. Then when they arrive, all the inns are full. There is no space for them. And perhaps she blamed herself- if she hadn’t been pregnant and so slow maybe they would’ve gotten there in time for a real room.

And then they bed down with the animals, and she gives birth in a barn, wraps her baby in swaddling clothes, and lays him in the hay of a feeding trough.

And then these shepherds show up, telling stories of the heavens being filled with heavenly hosts, and singing, and the angel of the Lord spoke to them and told them who this baby really was.

And instead of being overwhelmed, and getting caught up in the hoopla that was her life in this moment, all of the things she had heard from the Lord, from these shepherds…Mary made note of them. And she was quiet and pondered them in her heart.

With all the trappings, traditions, celebrations, and fun of the season, what are you pondering in your heart? Will this Christmas go by in a flash, and you will wonder where the time has gone? Will you let your ‘to-do’ list dominate your heart and mind, and worry how it’s all going to get done?

I would highly recommend you take the time to read through Luke 2. Really consider all that it means to us, ponder it in your heart, and see if it doesn’t make your Christmas season different and better than before.

A Savior was born. Hope came to Earth. His name is JESUS.

Merry Christmas.