Treasuring, pondering

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

Ray Ortlund posts on this phrase I have been thinking about lately. He writes,

The shepherds glorified and praised God for the birth of Jesus.  That was good.  But it’s one thing to get riled up about a dramatic event; it’s another thing to take that event into our hearts, so that it redefines the hope we’re living for.  Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The word translated “treasure” implies she said to herself something like this: “I must never forget what God has shown me.  I will guard this in the deepest recesses of my being.  What God has done is the treasure of my heart.”

She also “pondered” these things.  Not even Mary understood Jesus fully.  But she began to put together growing insight into the biblical prophecies about her Son, the earlier birth of John the Baptist, the report of the shepherds, the later visit of the wise men, and so forth.  She thought it through, again and again.

The truth sustained her, while others just lost their enthusiasm.

May we ponder anew on Jesus, our greatest treasure this Christmas.

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