Every year, as we grow closer to Christmas, I begin to ponder the stories and prophecies of the birth of Christ. My favorite remains the story as told in Luke 2, perhaps the most often-recited version. You may recognize it from your own readings and church activities, or perhaps, you will recognize it from Charlie Brown Christmas.
As I read this on the ferry, Christmas Eve, I was halted by a line I'd never really noticed before, about Mary. And I wanted to share it with you, and pen some of my own thoughts. Here is the birth of Christ, as told in Luke 2:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
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."
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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Did you catch it? Here it is again:
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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Mary treasured the things she heard and pondered them. What does that mean? The shepherds were so ecstatic, they couldn't stop talking about it. They rejoiced, they glorified God, they praised Him. For the angels, the message, the tidings of great joy, and for the little babe in the hay.
You may, or may not, know that Mary was about 12 years of age. That's the time a girl married back then, and Joseph was likely not more than 15. Perhaps we would have to assess the typical maturity level of a 12 year old in those times, compared to today, but I know that I, as a 12 year old, could not have handled the weighty responsibility of carrying the Child of God in my womb, and bearing Him on Earth, (without drugs, no less!)
What does it mean, that while shepherds were praising, Mary was pondering? I'm not entirely sure, but I've chosen this view on it:
When Christmas is over each year, we often lose the spirit of Christmas. Generosity. Salvation. Forgiveness. Great Joy. These things should be with us year round. I think Dickens said it best:
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.
Mary stored up the joy, the generosity, the salvation, the forgiveness - all of these things that have become ours because of the Advent of Christ - in her heart, that she might feast off of them all year round. In quiet, contemplative awe of the miracle at hand, she chose to sit by the cradle of her Son, of God's Son, and feel the things that we should feel when we reflect on the birth of our Savior.
There are three Mary's in the Bible that make an appearance, and each seems to have a profound interaction with the message of the Gospel. Mary, the mother of Christ, the chosen one of God. Mary of Magdela, a prostitute, a sinner, in need of salvation. And Mary, the sister of Martha, who knew that when the Savior came to dinner, He would be far happier having your attention than causing you to race around anxiously to prepare a great feast. Think what you will of the "unwed mother", the "prostitute", and the "lazy girl". But please, as the season draws to a close, keep mind of their quiet, contemplative spirit. None of the Marys could get enough of Jesus. And it seems clear that each of the Marys treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Lord, help me to have the spirit of Mary.
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