In the midst of seasonal celebrations, remember to reflect on the birth of the Promised One as the mother of Jesus did. “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart,” Luke 2:19 (NIV).
Ponder the startling appearance of an angel one day to a young woman and calling her highly favored among women. The book of Luke never explains what Mary did to receive that favor. It only says that God saw her spirit, favored her and selected her to bring the Son of the Most High to earth.
To validate his message the angel said that her cousin Elizabeth – the one called barren – was six months pregnant. The angel left and so did Mary – to go to another community to see Elizabeth.
Ponder Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” Luke 1:42-44. Without being told, Elizabeth saw Mary and knew that she carried the son of God.
Ponder, that when Mary returned home three months later, Joseph saw her and planned to put away his pregnant fiancee – until an angel told him to take Mary as his wife. Then, although they had not planned to be in Bethlehem for the birth of the Messiah, the government mandated that the young couple go to the city prophesied 400 years before as the birthplace of the Messiah.
And there Christmas began: A child born in a barn had the most fantastic birth announcement: An angel proclaimed the news of His birth to shepherds watching their sheep – ending with the appearance of a heavenly host saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests,” Luke 2:14.
The shepherds rushed into town to see this baby and “told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.” Luke 1:18.
While the shepherds talked, Mary treasured up their story to reflect on it later.
Ponder the child’s visit to the temple for a mandatory ritual six weeks later. Two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, met the family in the temple and, without introduction, instantly recognized the infant as the One many awaited.
Ponder the impact of wise men from the East following a star to Bethlehem until they found the couple and the infant. On seeing the infant, these foreign dignitaries bowed down, worshipped him and gave expensive gifts.
That night the angels returned. First, to warn the Easterners to avoid King Herod who killed anyone who threatened his kingship. Then, the angels commanded Joseph to leave town immediately and go to Egypt for the child’s safety. Later, an angel told Joseph when it was safe to return from Egypt to their original town of Nazareth.
Mary pondered all these events surrounding the birth and early years of her child. So should we ponder them, especially today, as we commemorate the greatest gift of all, God’s Son sent to make us right with the Creator of the Universe.