So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19
**Ponder- to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time.
It takes an amazing woman to trust the power of The Holy Spirit to conceive in her the Savior of the World. It shows faith, trust, and strength for Mary to believe Joseph is going to stay with her. The whole thing could be scandalous.
Here she is in Bethlehem with her new husband and a beautiful baby boy. She’s experienced morning sickness, felt his first kicks inside of her, and formed a special bond with The Savior of the World. This baby she’s been carrying for 9 months is finally here. She’s exhausted from giving birth, yet so full of joy.
Now shepherds are praising this baby King and wisemen are bringing Him gifts. So much excitement over a little baby. The reality of who she has been entrusted to raise might be overwhelming. She will never forget how this baby was conceived. She’ll never forget the awesome responsibility she now feels ahead of her. So much responsibility for such a young girl.
If it were me in that stable amongst the shepherds and wisemen, I’d be doing a little pondering, too. I’d be pondering everything that led to my new baby’s birth, its significance, and the coming years. I would never even be tempted to forget one small detail. I’d ponder all of it with every decision that was being made while trying to raise this important baby.
In fact, I think it was Mary’s responsibility to ponder. She took her responsibility seriously. I think maybe this Christmas season, we could all be doing a little pondering. Maybe we should all be thinking a little more carefully for a noticeable length of time about this little baby’s birth and what significance it holds in our own lives.
It was important for Mary to ponder. It’s important for us to ponder. How different would my life be without the Savior of the world? How different would your life be without the savior of the world? It’s definitely worth thinking about.
If you’ve never experienced the saving grace of Jesus, maybe asking Him into your heart is something you should ponder?
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14
I don’t know about you, but one of the most difficult challenges I face is my attitude during seasons of waiting. I’ve never liked waiting. I avoid going to the grocery store if I think the lines will be long. I avoid customer service phone calls where I need to be put on hold. I even avoid cooking certain foods if it requires an unusual waiting period.
During seasons of waiting, I always seem to start strong. Somewhere in the middle, though, I lose heart. I begin looking at the situation searching for an answer. This causes me to get my eyes off God. Somewhere in the middle I begin to question, try to fix, calculate the outcome, or “help” God. The middle is the most difficult time during seasons of waiting.
Psalms 27 says… “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed.” Wow, the “unless I had believed” part really jumps out at me. My faith seems to get shaken the longer I wait. If I could just continue with the same faith I started with.
That is exactly what God is saying to you and me today. We’re called to have the same faith throughout the waiting. He wants us to have courageous faith discussed in Psalm 27. He wants us to have the kind of faith that causes renewed strength to well up in our hearts and take over our entire being. Waiting wouldn’t be so difficult if we would keep our focus on God. We also may not have to wait as long if we don’t try to take God’s job away and make it our own. We often mess things up. This causes delay for God’s perfect outcome.
May God bless you and renew your strength as you continue to wait with total reliance on His will and plan.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
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I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! NKJV
Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you. Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
