Celebrating Advent: TOGETHER

Listen:

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) 

Reflect:

I’ve often mused on the thoughts and feelings of Mary, especially in those early days; longing to know her one-of-a-kind experience as “Ima” to the Savior of the world. When I read this scripture and all the miraculous events that led to the eclectic group of visitors who came to see her firstborn, I ponder about the sweeping range of thoughts and emotions that had to be colliding within. (Combined with those post-birth hormones!)

Joy and hope most certainly must have welled up inside of her, intersecting with moments of wonder and holy awe. For a young woman who was given such a beautiful responsibility unlike any before or after her; a woman who had to share her child with the whole world forevermore – I do love that she got to keep her ponderings to herself, to process inwardly with the God who chose her for the position. 

In this modern, social media oversharing world, Mary’s contrasting silence can teach us if we will be quiet and still enough to lean in to learn. She didn’t chase down a treasure of fame because of her unique proximity to the King of Kings. She didn’t write a book or travel around telling her version of His story. Instead, she quietly took in the amazing activity happening around her, collected her treasure visually, and kept it for herself to process and ponder with her God. In her heart, Mary chose to joyfully save up her treasured memories where she could visit them again and again privately. 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this year, we too can choose to be women who take in our surroundings privately – as treasures – to revisit like photo albums in our hearts; joyfully thanking God for His abundant blessings in our own lives. 

Prayer of Response:

Father, help me practice taking quiet moments to “notice” this week. Holy Spirit, help me to steady my thoughts and quiet my spirit so that I might be more visually awakened to all the wonderful works that you are doing around me and in me. Help me to take calming breaths, to step out of the busyness of this season and instead look for you in both quiet and busy moments. Fill my heart and eyes with wonder and awe at all you’ve done so far and all you are doing; that I might ponder your goodness in my heart and be filled with your JOY. Thank you, Jesus, for all of the miraculous things that you’re doing around me today. Help me to remember that your gifts are wonderful treasure that I can intentionally ponder with joy and gratitude again and again. Amen.

Questions to Ponder:

1. What treasure do you already have in your heart from the Lord that you can stop to ponder right now to remember with JOY how good the Lord has been to you? Pour out your heart in private, heartfelt thanks and gratitude.
2. Do you take time daily, weekly, monthly, annually to ponder the things that the Lord has done in your life? Time just between you and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to reflect, remember, and joyfully let your heart be filled with deep thanks? If not, today is a great day to begin a new habit of intentional, joyful pondering!

—Submitted by Traci Morrow
Traci lives in Colorado with her husband KC & two teenage sons. They have four adult kids, one grandson, & another grandbaby due in May. Traci is a Health and Wellness Coach and is the Relationship Expert and Growth Guide for Maxwell Leadership. Traci is passionate about healthy relationships and has written her first book, Real-Life Marriage; Navigating Your Beautiful, Messy, One-Of-A-Kind Love Story.