Friday, December 23: Scripture – Luke 2: 15-20
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger.
17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child,
18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them,
19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
The shepherds heard the good news from the angels. They were so excited to see what this was all about they “hurried off” to see for themselves and then spread the word to the amazement of all who heard it. They saw the glory of God live and in person and couldn’t help but share the good news concerning the Messiah.
Mary, however, “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I am struck by the difference in the reaction of the shepherds vs. Mary. I believe Mary’s response is different, in part, because she knows what lies ahead for Jesus and how the story will end. She must have been so conflicted with both joy and grief at the same time. No wonder she chose to ponder these things in her heart.
Are there times in our lives when God is calling us to shout the good news from the rooftops? Are there also times when we are called to ponder things in our hearts? I believe our lives are filled with both mountaintop experiences and deep valleys of grief and pain. How we respond in spreading the good news and how we turn to God for help are both witnesses to His glory, mercy and love. May we all try and discern what God is calling us to do and to say as we share that love in a broken and hurting world.
Prayer: God of mercy and love, we are sometimes filled with amazement at the good news of the Gospel and want to share it near and far. We are sometimes filled with sorrow and grief and don’t know if we are capable of sharing your glory. Help us God, at all times, to find joy, peace and comfort in your Word. Amen.
Karen Bonds