12-25-2018

Good Morning All,

           Luke 2:19; “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

    Giving birth, shepherds coming around looking for her baby, people worshipping her baby; it must have been quite a night for Mary.  It must have been quite a few months for this young girl.  We don’t know how old Mary was; many think she was around 15-16 at the time of Jesus’ birth. (standard age at the time of Jesus) At this time of year, I look at the 15-17 year-old-girls that I know and I wonder how much like Mary they would be and how much different.  The young ladies I know are all in high school; Mary’s education would have been over.  The young ladies I know are thinking of finishing high school, looking at colleges and deciding what they want to do with their lives.  Mary was hoping for a husband, a kind one who would be gentle and caring.

    When Joseph showed an interest, perhaps her heart gave a flutter.  But then things became very different.  One day, perhaps during her prayer time, the angel Gabriel told her she was going to have a son, God’s Son.  She would have to explain to Joseph and hope he understood.  At first, he didn’t but an angel explained it to him and he accepted it.  We don’t know how everyone else reacted.  A young girl pregnant before the marriage was scandalous and the whispers that Joseph wasn’t the father would have only added to the gossip.  She went to visit her old cousin Elizabeth who was also going to have a child and when she talked to Elizabeth; Elizabeth greeted her with a pronouncement of blessing and favor from God and that the baby in her womb leaped for joy when Mary arrived.

    Then the long trip to Bethlehem, so close to her time for delivery.  When they got to Bethlehem, the place was crowded and the little town was full to the bursting.  She was probably tired and you women know what she felt, sore back and sore feet.  All she wanted was a place to sit or lie down.  All they could find was a small spot where the animals were kept.  Then it happened, she gave birth and these shepherds came and worshipped her baby.  Then Scriptures records one of those enigmatic lines “Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

     This is something we should do; treasure what God has revealed and ponder on it.  The most amazing event, God leaving his heavenly throne and entering the world as a baby to become humble and willingly dying in our place is something to treasure.  It is truly the gift which never goes away, out of style or not needed.  When life’s struggles appear, we need to ponder in our heart what a wonderful, loving gift God has given to us.  God laid aside everything to save us; there is nothing he hasn’t done to give you life and nothing in all of creation will take that away.  The love of God, revealed in Jesus, is something that when we ponder it; we receive peace.  Merry Christmas and God’s blessings on this coming year.

Father, in your great love you took on our lowly form to make us holy for You.  Keep is ever mindful of the completeness of this gift.  Keep us ever present in your gracious care.  Send your peace to all whom you have called that they may have peace in you.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret