One of my favourite Christmas songs is “Mary did you know?” The words are so tender and bring tears to my eyes every time I hear it. Did Mary fully comprehend the impact her little baby would have on the world? She certainly knew in part, and what she did know she treasured and pondered in her heart.
“But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
There’s so much packed in this one little sentence, which we find in the Christmas story after the shepherds had visited. Just think of the events that unfolded before her very eyes in one short year. An encounter with the angel of the Lord started it all, saying she’d been chosen to carry, birth, and raise the Messiah. And 9 months later, the Lord God orchestrated all the details to fulfill what He said would happen – a virgin would give birth to Jesus in the city of David.
So much can change in a year! And she tucked away the moments as treasures in the recesses of her heart and thought of them often.
To ‘remember’ is something we, as Jesus followers, are also commanded to do. It’s interesting to think of remembering as a treasure… it really is a gift to be able to remember. To remember who we are. Whose we are. Who Scripture says Jesus is and what He’s done for us.
While we too only understand in part, let’s take careful responsibility for the treasure we have been given in knowing of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection. He is the greatest treasure our hearts could ever hold.
With thoughtful contemplation, as we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth in a couple of short days from now, may we know in our hearts that He came for us personally. God incarnate came for me…for you… to be the sacrifice for each one of us – something I’m convinced we cannot fully comprehend this side of Heaven.
May we invite the practice of pondering…of reflecting regularly into our days, on all He’s done for us. A practice of pondering readies the heart to acknowledge gratitude and postures it to bring pure, reverent, praise to our God who cares for us so intimately.
So how are you doing at pondering the treasures of Jesus in your heart these days?
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