Christmas memories…
As I get older memories play such an important part in my Christmas celebration. There are those Christmases past with my dad, mom, brother and sister. Even more of my Christmases with Dave and our kids, and now we are blessed to be creating memories with our grandkids and great granddaughter.
There were some very lean years but even in that they were good because our focus was on it being Jesus’ birthday.
I remember one year, I insisted, yes insisted, that we all write letters to each other on what we loved and appreciated. I still have those letters today – they are tucked safely away. I guess you could say, I pondered them in my heart.
“Pondering” is a good thing. We need to take that lesson from Mary. For that’s what she did that very first Christmas morning.
“All who heard it were surprised at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary hid all these words in her heart. She thought about them much. 20 The shepherds went back full of joy. They thanked God for all they had heard and seen. It happened as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:18-20 NLV
As the shepherds arrived, telling what the angels had said she pondered – treasured, meditated – them in her heart. I’m sure it wasn’t just the words of the angels but that she relived her visit with Gabriel and then her cousin Elizabeth. The conversations she and Joseph must have had and the trip to Bethlehem and then the miracle of being alone in a stable and giving birth. Each detail indelibly etched on her heart and in her memory.
God’s miracle – God’s provision – God’s love – wrapped in a tiny bundle, cradled in her arms, nursing at her breast! Yes, these would be the things she pondered; these would be the memories she would hold for the rest of her life. As the angel told Mary: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
This morning I was pondering that first Christmas. Trying to put myself in Mary’s place – the sheer joy of giving birth to your first child was enhanced beyond imagination when she contemplated the miraculous way He had been conceived.
I wonder, if for a moment, she may have paused to think about what it meant for her Son to be the Messiah, to save mankind from their sins.
“Jesus died for our sins. He was raised from the dead to make us right with God.” Romans 4:25 NLV
The purpose and plan of God in sending His Son was to provide the path for our salvation.
Let’s take time to ponder – to treasure and meditate – on what God has done in our lives and for those we love. Maybe it’s time to write a letter thanking God for the best Christmas gift ever – His Son.
That seems like a good place to start.