I have many favourite verses, and this is one of them: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”.
Can you imagine all the things Mary had to ponder? All the things she had to think about and mull over and couldn’t tell anyone? From the moment of this unprecedented conception, until Jesus, her son’s, resurrection – her heart must have overflowed with questions, queries, misunderstandings, wonderings, unexplainable happenings, so many day-to-day’s that she didn’t understand – and all she could do was – ponder.
How do I explain to the other children that Jesus’ father is really God?
Will my other kids accept the fact that Jesus is divine?
Do I treat the ‘Son of God’ different than my other children?
How do I raise this child? This promised child. God’s Son?
Why did God choose me, I wonder?
Am I up for the task?
Remember, Mary had no idea what was in store for this Son of hers. She didn’t receive the whole picture. When the angel asked her to take part in this unprecedented plan, she simply said – yes, without knowing, one day her heart would be crushed to pieces.
Mary just lived, ordinarily. Doing day to day stuff. Just like you and me.
But, she pondered. The Bible says, she ‘pondered and treasured’ all these things in her heart.
So how can we apply that scripture?
Pondering gives you time to speak respectively and intelligently… rather than, well you know… losing it and letting useless words flow like a river. Therefore, pondering is a virtue! An asset worth striving for!
And ‘treasuring’, I love that phrase. That means, all those beautiful life moments, the ‘treasure filled ones’ – we simply tuck them away in our heart for sweet reflection.
Mary. She’s in heaven right now, sweet Mary. She’s worshipping the very Child she bore on that Christmas morn. And, soon, those of us who acknowledge Jesus as the Saviour of the world, we will be worshipping Him too.
He’s coming again! Soon!
Merry Christmas!