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.

Luke 2:16-19

The shepherds were living out in the fields near where Jesus was born. As they watched over their flocks, an angel appeared and told them to not be afraid. They were terrified! The angel announced the birth of Christ, the Savior. I wonder what went through their minds as the angel spoke and the glory of God shone around them. Perhaps they were in disbelief; perhaps they were so amazed that they could not even comprehend what the angel was saying. As the shepherds were trying to take in all that was going on around them, suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel. (v.13) At this point, maybe they considered running away; perhaps they fell to the ground. We do know that they responded by saying to one another: Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about. (v.15)

The shepherds responded by going to see the baby – the Savior.

They could have stayed in the fields watching their flocks, but they knew that they must go. The shepherds hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby. They spread the word about what they had seen and all who heard were amazed. But Mary took all of these things and stored them in her heart.

While the shepherds ran and told everyone, Mary quietly took it all in. Just as she carried the Son of God in her womb, she now carried the glory of the moment in her heart, treasuring the gift that she had been given.

Sometimes the Lord does something so extraordinary in our lives that we can’t help sharing our experience with a multitude of others. Yet there are times when the Lord does something so awesome, so incredible, that all we can do is pray and ponder these things in our heart. The treasure of the experience is beyond words, beyond understanding, and to share it at first would take away the mystery and awe. Sometimes we must process it before we are able to share. Other times we may choose not to share because it is too close to our heart.

Perhaps today the Lord has touched you in a way that is too awesome for words. Like Mary, ponder these things in your heart and give thanks to the Lord.

Heavenly Father,

Today as I celebrate the birth of Your Son, help me to treasure Your coming and place deep in my heart the joy and gratefulness of the miracle of His birth.

In Jesus’ name, Amen