David Bahn – Reflections

Today’s 49 week challenge readings are Acts 23; Exodus 22; Psalm 54; 70.

Note: Today’s devotion is not based on these readings, but I encourage you to read them nonetheless.

Luke 2:16-19

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

I’m imagining the shepherds were very excited when they visited the manger. How they found it, how long it took, and how many people they encountered along the way, I don’t know. What they did with the sheep, the Bible doesn’t tell us. But we know they saw a multitude of the heavenly host. They heard the angel chorus praising God. They determined to go see the Christ Child. And they went.

Over against their excitement Mary treasures these things and ponders them in her heart. She considered the events to be precious. They were valuable to her. And she thought about them. Maybe she thought back to the announcement of Gabriel that she would conceive and bear a son whose name would be Jesus. She may have remembered how Joseph changed his mind and took her as his wife – though the child was not his – and determined that his name should be Jesus. She no doubt took to heart that he would save his people from their sins.

I treasure the music, hymns, and songs of Christmas. I have little use for almost any secular so-called Christmas music. But those which extole Christ, ponder his mercy, and express the mystery of the Word made flesh: those I delight in. Christmas Day worship is my favorite. Family around the dinner table is my happy place. Friends and fellow worshipers of the King who became a baby lift my spirits.

I treasure these things and I’ll ponder them in my heart today. What are yours?