The Music of Christmas, Day 14

 A Mother’s Pondering

Read Luke 2:15-19
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Mary had a front row seat for Jesus’ entire life. She is the only person present at both the manager and the cross. She is undoubtably the source for both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts of the birth. While there was no way she could have understood everything happening in real time, she had faith and was willing. After the shock of Gabriel’s visit, Mary surrendered to God’s plan even though she didn’t fully comprehend what it meant. And that was only the beginning of Mary’s long and curious journey. After what must have been a grueling trip to Bethlehem, giving birth in a barn, the appearance of a mysterious star, the arrival of shepherds coming to worship her baby, the scripture simply says Mary "pondered" everything “in her heart.” 

 

The word translated “pondered” literally means “to put things together.” Mary spent the rest of her life trying to put things together concerning her Son. She "treasured up" or collected each moment of surprise, frustration, and sorrow.

She added to her collection of thoughts when, only a few short days later, she and Joseph took their newborn to the temple for dedication. Two elderly saints, Simeon and Anna, were astonished by the child. Simeon declared, “This child will be the salvation of His people,” (Luke 2:34) and then, looking at Mary he said, “and a sword will pierce your heart.” What a strange thing to say, Mary surely thought. What did he mean?

 

Two years later, magi who had traveled hundreds of miles arrived from the east bearing gifts. Like the shepherds who came to the stable, they also worshipped her Son. Shortly after that visit, another angelic messenger warned Joseph to pack up and move his young family to Egypt. What did it all mean? Mary could not have known.

 

Fast-forward ten years. Twelve-year-old Jesus is debating a group of rabbis in the temple courts. His parents, panicked and no doubt angry, had left Jerusalem three days earlier. They’d assumed Jesus was with the caravan headed back to Nazareth, but He wasn’t. When an exasperated Mary asked her Boy, “What were you thinking?” (Webber paraphrase) Jesus responded, “Didn’t you know I would be in my Father’s house?” Again, Luke records that Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

 

Approximately twenty years later, rumors about Jesus reached His family. Mary and her younger sons couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying and doing. So, “they went out to seize Him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.’” (Mark 3:21) Again, I’m guessing Mary is baffled by Jesus and spent many hours wondering how it had all come to this. 

 

As difficult and disturbing as these moments must have been, they could not compare to watching her Son’s execution. John tells us that Mary was there. In fact, from the cross, Jesus entrusted His mother’s care to John. Was it at that moment she remembered Simeon’s words and felt a sword piercing her soul? As she watched Him die, did scenes flash before her eyes? Gabriel’s visit, the shepherds, the stable, the dedication, finding Him in the Temple. Unforgettable, hard to understand moments.

Perhaps, as you read this, you're reflecting on some enigmatic or confusing person or circumstance in your own life. Like Mary, we try to “put things together" in a way that makes sense. What does it mean, or even matter, that God took on flesh and lived among us? 

 

The birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ are more than a historical reality. The life of Jesus calls all of us to do what Mary did — receive Him. Take a front-row seat.

Like Mary, we are sure to experience fear and trepidation when confronted with the overshadowing power of God. We’ll be confused by Jesus –- what He says and does. Every believer has experienced doubts. We may doubt and question God’s plan, or our ability and worth. We, like Mary, cannot understand it all. The choice is not believing it all or believing nothing. The choice is simple: accept Him, by faith. To live in the awe and wonder of Jesus includes treasuring up questions in a heart open to Him.

 

Jehovah-Rapha,

Despite the fear, doubts, confusion, I invite You to take center stage. Give me the courage to take a seat in the front row even when I don't understand everything. In the midst of my brokenness and confusion, I am throwing open the door of my heart and inviting You to come in and reveal Yourself.

Amen.

The Music of Christmas is available in print or digital formats.