Random Thoughts

(December 24, 2012)

“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.” (Luke 2:16-20)

Whenever I read the story of the birth of Christ in the Gospel of Luke, one of the thoughts that always stands out for me (besides the birth of Christ, MOST importantly) is, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”Volumes have been written contemplating exactly what Mary pondered.

On a personal level, the significance is rather simplistic. I think of it as my “cellular” link to Mary—a woman, a mother, a wife. Like many (maybe even most?) women/moms/wives, I “treasure up” and ponder many things in my heart.

We have a special talent for pondering and storing things in our hearts, and we can use that talent for good or for evil. We can hold a heck of a grudge…if we so choose. Don’t think for a moment we don’t remember what you did way back then; you may have forgotten, but we haven’t…if we’ve chosen not to. 😏

However, we also have, I think, an immense capacity for “longsuffering.” At times, we may store memories best forgotten, but we don’t “treasure” them.

No, instead, we treasure and ponder those memories, moments, words, and deeds, both joyful and painful, that add layers of richness, meaning, and purpose to our lives. Some moments clearly are pivotal, life-directing or life-changing moments. Others may not seem so important at the time, but having pondered (reflected/considered with thoroughness and care; “appraised”) them, we recognize their value.

This is but one of the characteristics of that “nevertheless” kind of love—the ability and desire to live in spit of—for which women, wives, and moms are especially well-known.

It is the same “sacrificial” love that is so critical to the very heart of every family. For without it, each of us quickly loses luster, and once the proverbial shine is gone, too often, so, too, goes our appreciation for one another.

So, today, a day full of pivotal and seemingly not-so-pivotal moments, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I, like Mary so many nights ago, ponder so many things in my heart.

I am reflecting on them with thoughtfulness and care, looking beyond the tarnish, appraising them, and recognizing their value with newfound appreciation.

If that isn’t a Christmas gift, I don’t know what is.