Treasuring and Pondering: The Christmas Story from Mary's Perspective

One of my favorite verses from the Christmas story out of Luke chapter 2 is verse 19:

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 

In a stable filled with shepherds bursting to tell their story, with strangers marveling at the miracle before them, Mary’s response stands out. She didn’t rush to process everything out loud. She didn’t immediately try to make sense of it all. Instead, she did something countercultural then and now, and she was still.

And let’s be honest, after labor in a barn, she probably didn’t have the energy to do much else. But still, the woman had her priorities straight. 

Think about what brought Mary to that moment: a Roman emperor’s decree that forced a long journey while nine months pregnant. Whispers and judgmental looks back in Nazareth. An unexpected pregnancy that needed explanations. A birth in the most humble of circumstances because apparently part of God’s birth plan was “no room at the inn”. And now, shepherds, the lowest on the social ladder, announcing that her son was the Savior of the world. I can't imagine being quite as composed as Mary is depicted of being in this moment.

But she was sensitive to how God was weaving together emperors and gossips, government decrees and divine appointments, rejection and revelation and it was all to accomplish His perfect plan. 

Mary teaches us something we desperately need today: When God moves in our lives, we don’t have to immediately understand it, post about it, or even fully process it right away. Sometimes the most spiritual response is to treasure it quietly in our hearts and ponder the deeper meaning - meditate. Meditating is the best way to commit something to memory.      

Today, in the chaos of Christmas or the complexity of your current season, can you sit with what God is showing you? Can you treasure it, turn it over in your heart, and trust that understanding will come as you meditate on His faithfulness? What is God doing here? How is He weaving together even the most difficult circumstances for His purposes? You may not get the answers now but His promises remain true forever:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

Mary can teach us: God works through all kinds of people and all kinds of events. Your story with all its unexpected turns, difficult detours, and divine appointments is no exception. There is a current book that I see people quote called "Let Them". While there are some good nuggets from the book, I would make a small shift and move toward, "Let God". Let God work out the details. Let God move in your heart. Mary knew she had to let God work out the circumstances regardless of what was happening all around her and what people were saying. She also had the wisdom to know that it wasn't about her. Let's rejoice this holiday season that we do not have to take on life's burdens alone! May you be filled with peace that surpasses understanding and treasure the goodness.

^"Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,  but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Merry Christmas!

Caitlin