A Treasure To Ponder
- Paula Shockley
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:15-19)
Against all odds, Mary beheld her precious new born son. She had survived the danger and criticism of being pregnant and unwed. She had survived the difficult journey to Bethlehem in the final days and hours before she would deliver. And she survived the labor and delivery in inhospitable conditions. God had not made things easy, but God had provided everything Mary had needed. To anyone else, the shepherds - who arrived at the stable where the new family was trying to make do - might have sounded like raving lunatics as they spoke of angels and called her child the Messiah. But to Mary their words, and even their presence, were further confirmation of God's amazing work in the world and in, and through, her. She must have been equal parts terrified and astounded, humbled yet beaming, as she gazed at the face of the helpless infant savior.
Parents everywhere - rather natural, adopted, or communal - understand well this dichotomy of joy and fear. And we all can relate to the desire to hold close and protect what we cherish while knowing we must release it into the world in order for the full potential to be realized. The state of the world was no less troubling at the time of Jesus' birth than it is today, yet God made a way. Through one young, faithful girl, God birthed light into the darkness - not despite the darkness but because of it. God is not afraid of the dark - God illuminates it. What God establishes, God will bring to fruition. We can prepare to be amazed at the ways God is making to bring good into the world through God's faithful people.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
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