Growing up on a farm in Northwestern Ohio, I have many fond memories of our Christmas celebrations. Of course, living in the snow belt, we usually were treated to icy but beautiful white holiday scenes. Sitting by our fireplace on cold nights, drinking hot cocoa, caroling with my youth group and enjoying family get togethers were all a part of those happy days. In fact, I can even say that I had a ride in a one horse open sleigh thanks to my Grandfather Hess who took me and my cousin for a ride when we were very small. We cuddled under a bear skin rug and flew down our rural county road that was covered with snow. There are so many wonderful memories of those days gone by, but one of the most important ones was sitting down and reading the Bible together on Christmas Eve. Hearing the story about the babe born in a manger is a memory that never grows old. We cannot hear it enough because it is the greatest gift we could ever receive from God.
Our favorite passage to read came from Luke 2:1-38. One verse always stands out to me in this story of His miraculous entrance into the world. Verse 19 tells us: "But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." Just as I can recall the precious times with my family, Mary took in all the things that God had told her. She believed the Lord when He sent the angel to her to announce this coming child. She made herself the handmaiden of God and brought forth this child. However, I am certain she had no idea what all of this would mean or how everything would come about; yet she trusted in God.
One of the songs that touches my heart during this season is "Mary Did You Know?" The song recounts the many miracles that Jesus would do during His work on earth. Could Mary have known all that would happen? One line of the song goes: "When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?" It gives me chills when I think of that picture in my mind. God became man that He might fulfill all righteousness in order to provide the very sacrifice for our sins that would satisfy His holiness. Jesus was not just Mary's baby boy. He was also her Savior as the Word proclaims.
As we continue in this passage of Luke, we see Mary and Joseph taking the baby to the Temple for their purification according to the Law of Moses. When they arrived, two people met them in separate encounters. One was Simeon who had prayed that he might live to see the Messiah. He took the child in his arms and blessed God. Both Joseph and Mary were surprised by this (vs. 33), but Simeon went on to tell them, "Behold this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." What a telling prophecy! Again, Mary would remember these words as she watched Jesus go to the cross. Then, Anna, a prophetess, came to see this child and praised God giving thanks for this blessed gift from God.
Mary treasured all of these things in her heart and stored up these memories. I can only imagine how both Joseph and Mary felt as they watched this tiny baby who was both fully man and fully God. Of all the gifts or memories we can have at Christmas, this is the reason behind our celebration. Jesus came as the Bible tells us "at just the right time" (Galatians 4:4-5) according to the timetable of God. He came to set us free from the bondage of our sinful natures (Romans 5:6-8). This is the greatest gift we could ever receive!
Certainly, we all have many wonderful memories of Christmas past and are looking forward to this year's celebration. However, my prayer is that we will take time to look with wonder as Mary did and treasure in our hearts the wonderful gift of salvation that comes from a regenerated heart made new by Christ. This year read the Christmas story again and meditate on what the Lord has done for us! Selah!
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