December 25, 2021

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

Every year it happens.  All around the world it happens.  After all the fanfare is over, after all the gifts are opened, after all the leftovers have been wrapped and stored in the fridge, it happens.  On that very first Christmas it happened.

For nine months Mary had been making preparations.  It had been nine months since Gabriel had made that memorable visit to her that night.  Since that moment she had been making preparations.  I’m sure she had imagined how wonderful a day it would be when the baby was born.  I’m sure she had been waiting in excited anticipation for the birth of the promised Messiah.  I’m sure she had made plans for the memorable moment.  As she sat there that first Christmas morning, holding the most precious Christmas gift that would ever be given, she couldn’t help but “treasure these things in her heart and ponder them.”  

So as you sit there tonight remembering the countless treasures of the day and Christmases past … ponder this.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (KJV)  And that is a treasure worth pondering!