SCRIPTURE: But Mary treasured all these things, giving careful thought to them and pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 AMP
The first advent of Jesus brought a lot of light into the world, but many people missed it. Light is helpful, even miraculous the way it exposes everything — from the beautiful, to the mundane, to the downright evil. Journey with author and blogger Amy Clemens as she explores the advent of one who said he was the light of the world…a light that shines in darkness…that exposes. A light that will make a second advent, with a power and glory no one will miss.
THOUGHT: I’ve always thought Christmas Eve was a special day. You know the waiting is almost over, and your anticipation grows. Maybe family is starting to gather. Packages are likely under the tree and spilling over, like the fridge. There are hints for your nose of the feast to come, and sometimes work is cut short or cancelled. Often there’s a candlelight service to attend, its quietness and peace interrupting busy preparations – giving us time to ponder the birth of Christ in our hearts. Christmas Eve is like a holiday before the holiday.
Mary, of course, had no such Christmas Eve, but her waiting was still analogous in some ways. She kept collecting treasures, large and small, along her journey to the first Christmas. The angel’s words. The visit with Elizabeth and miraculous birth of John. The steadfast heart of Joseph. The baby growing inside her. And soon his birthday, and amazed shepherds as they see and touch God in flesh. These treasures feed her joy and sense of anticipation, each new gem building her trust in what God is doing.
Mary didn’t just anxiously blow past the moments that gave joy and courage; Scripture tells us she gave “careful thought to them…pondering them in her heart.” She was in full waiting mode; patient, listening, watching, and wondering.
What has God done for you this crazy, unprecedented year? Have you stored up God-sightings in the midst of tough times to pull out and mull over like treasures? Have you been amazed at his faithfulness even in the midst of a world that seems to care little for his son? Mary could have chosen the route of fear and dismay at every turn, but she chose wonder and trust. I pray you and I will too.
Merry Christmas, and Happy Birthday Jesus.
SONG: Noel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGg7KdN19rs
PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the gift of waiting. Thank you for signs along the way to store up and ponder, to take out and count again, to breathe life into weary souls. Christ has come; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
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ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
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