The story of the first Christmas is filled with images to remember and celebrate. The drama around Elizabeth’s pregnancy and the birth of her son John, the annunciation of the coming King to Mary and then to Joseph, the stable in Bethlehem, and the host of angels declaring good news to shepherds, these are some of the images the season brings to mind.
One important part of the story that we often miss is found in just one verse of scripture in the second chapter of Luke, “but Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (v. 19) Mary took it all in, and reflected on its meaning. Amid all the activity and experiences of Christmas, she made time to meditate on all that God was doing.
Treasuring and pondering are important. They help us appreciate and understand the blessings of our lives and they help to shape our attitudes toward the future. The are actions that require something of us, including our focused attention and our time. When we reflect and meditate in this way, we see more deeply into the heart of God, the needs of the world, and the health of our own souls. This depth allows us to live more fully connected to God and to others and to mine more spiritual growth out of each moment.
One of the treasures I am pondering is the gift of family, specifically, the gift of our children. My wife and I are blessed to be adoptive parents. It is one of the greatest joys of our life that God allowed us to choose our children and allowed them to choose us. It was a divine connection that forever changed our lives, and the anniversary of that connection comes every Christmas season.
It was in this week, twelve years ago, that our children came to us and we began our journey as a family. What a Christmas present that was, and continues to be. This weekend we will all be together for the holiday again and I am busy treasuring and pondering once again. I am recalling the life lessons learned from my journey as a father and how I better understand my relationship with God as a result. I know what it is like to be called, “daddy,” and the joy that brings to the heart of a father. I know the joy of seeing your children make good choices and come to new discoveries. I also know the pain of watching them suffer, sometimes from their own choices, and the challenge that comes as they try to discover who they are.
This Christmas, the presents are appropriate for young adults, but gone is the sea of presents that once surrounded the tree. The dolls, toy cars and blocks will be replaced with new desires, but I will not forget the toys that littered our home when they we younger. My feet still bear the marks of finding them in the dark. I will remember the joy on their faces, and on mine as I watched, and I will recall how I learned that real life, even joy-filled life is messy and cannot always be controlled. I affirm the truth that sometimes the box is better that the toy inside and that with eyes of wonder, everything has the potential to be a blessing.
These are just the beginning of my pondering this year, and I thank God for each and every one of them. As Christmas Day approaches and the season continues, it is a perfect time to capture the heart of Mary, to learn the blessing of treasuring and pondering. It is an opportune time to meditate on God and the blessings God continues to birth in our lives.
Be blessed as you meditate on God’s blessing in your life. Recall the treasures he has given you and ponder them in your heart. If you can share one or two with someone else. Let them see God revealed in your life and be reminded of his presence in theirs. May your heart overflow as you ponder these treasures this Christmas.
