Treasure and Ponder

It’s been a messy wet Christmas Eve, and the tree lights twinkle much like the hope stirring in my heart. I read the Christmas Story in Luke and this verse stood out to me:

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

The angel Gabriel had told her that she would be the mother of Jesus and the final sentence of his message was: For nothing will be impossible with God.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38

She believed what seemed impossible. She didn’t know all of the specifics or how it would all come to pass but she trusted God.
And then the night came when the star was shining bright in the dark sky and she gave birth to baby Jesus. When the shepherds arrived to see the baby in the manger they could not help but share their news, and everyone who heard it was amazed.
BUT Mary. She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
She had witnessed God work mightily in her life. She heard His promise. Carrying the baby inside her for nine months stretched her body and her faith.
She knew God was faithful. She knew without a doubt that He could be trusted. He had given her Joseph, who loved her and stood by her. Her time with Elizabeth encouraged her and they rejoiced together!
And now. She held close to her heart the Savior of the world. She nursed the baby who would provide the very bread of life. She held the hope in her arms. Her long-awaited hope had arrived.
In the stench of the messy stable, she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
We can hold that same hope in this smelly, sometimes chaotic life.
God is faithful.
He can be trusted.
We may not know how it’s going to happen, and quite frankly we may even at times think it is simply impossible. In those moments may we remember that nothing is impossible with God, and no word from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37).
So tonight as the lights twinkle, may our hope shine bright. May we reflect on His goodness, and all of His faithfulness. Let’s praise Him for those who have stood by us and encouraged us. May we take the time to rejoice with others who need our encouragement.
Remember, treasure, and ponder.
As we hold tightly to our own hope tonight, let’s treasure up all of these things and ponder them deep inside of our heart.
God loves us and we are blessed to believe that the Lord would fulfill his promises to us!
Merry Christmas!