Basket
Pondering:
It is said that older folks reflect, ponder on their lives. Younger folks may be too busy to even take a moment to reflect but this was not the case with Mary.
After the shepherd’s visit, Mary pondered all that had happened. In the quiet of the manger, save the sounds of the animals and the newborn baby Jesus, she took time to reflect on all God had shown to her. In the midst of the manger and having given birth, she looked deeply at all of these strange and new things.
Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
This season, let us ponder what God has done in our lives. Let us ponder what God is doing right now in our lives. Let us treasure all that God has provided for us. Even in the darkest times, God is there, and God will and has provided His perfect provision.
In the Moment:
It is said that sometimes folks taking pictures with their cell phones are so busy with the task to record the event that they miss experiencing moments during the event.
The shepherds were in the moment. They saw a miraculous sign in the heavens and traveled to the manger to pay homage to a baby. They did not know what the years would bring, but knew they needed to be in that moment and follow the message given to them. Completely follow and then led to go out and proclaim this glorious news!
Luke 2:16, 17, 19: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
Mary was in the moment. She was not to know her son, the Savior, would be crucified on a cross 32 years later while she stood at the base of that cross.
Yes, Easter is our High Holy Day in the Christian Church. Yes, every day we want to be at the base of the cross. It is our reminder of the gift of salvation, forgiveness, and grace God freely gives to each one of us!
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who should ever believe in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
But this year, let us be in the moment of Advent and Christmas. Let us be in the moment under the star guiding our way to the manger. Let us kneel not right now at a cross but at a manger. Let us be in the moment at the manger of a baby born in turbulent times. Let us be in the moment as we continue to deal with a worldwide pandemic and all of its ramifications. Let us be in the moment glorifying God for this wonderful and miraculous gift He has given us!
Let us live in the moment and bath in the light of Christ. A light born in the manger and spread throughout the world. A light that can shine from each of us every day. That all those we meet may not directly know, but will sense something in us that cannot be explained. We can explain it, if asked, that we are children of God, blessed to have the light of Christ shining from us! We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
Let us live in the moment this season for all the Christmas miracles that will surround us each day—-the smile from a stranger, the kind words of a neighbor just when we need them, the love of our family, and the community of our church.
Let us be in the moment and ponder these mysteries that occurred so long ago, because God loved us and brought His son as a baby to bring us light and life. Mysteries so long ago that are still so relevant and needed today.
This Christmas, be in the moment and ponder the wonder, mystery, and glory of the birth of Jesus!
Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government shall be upon his shoulders
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Amen and Merry Christmas!