Monday, December 8, 2025

           Luke 2 features the traditional Christmas story that has framed many worship services and Christmas pageants through the years.  This passage of Scripture has been recited by Linus on a Charlie Brown Christmas every year since 1965.  Even many non-believers know and can recite portions of this beautiful and simple story of God loving us enough to come into the creation to save us from our sins.  Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  It’s almost impossible to imagine what Mary may have been thinking or feeling as she gave birth to the Son of God. But there are two words that stand out for us—treasured and pondered.
            A treasure is commonly considered to be a thing of great value.  A treasure is something we cherish and take great pains to protect and preserve.  You may treasure a family heirloom or an unforgettable experience with someone.  You could treasure a conversation or gift someone has shared with you.  Mary treasured “all these things.”  What things?  I’d suggest that she was grateful to be a mother.  It is easy to picture a new mother treasuring the child that she has birthed.  She treasured the most special child ever born—the very Son of God.  She likely treasured the way both heaven and earth had responded to the birth of her Son. She treasured the years ahead and knowing that she would have a beloved Son to cherish and care for—and who would one day be her salvation and joy.
            What do you treasure at Christmas?  You could treasure the hope you have in Christ—a hope that sustains you in any trial or battle.  You could treasure the Lord’s promises to provide for you and to protect you.  You could treasure occasions that you have to spend time with family and friends during the Christmas season.  You could treasure the Christmas story in Luke 2 by reading it and reflecting upon it during the Christmas season.  You could treasure the salvation that you possess in Christ and Him alone. 
            Luke 2 tells us that Mary pondered these things in her heart.  To ponder means to consider or to mull over.  She likely pondered what her Son would grow to become or to do.  She may have pondered how He would lead the people of Israel by His Word, many miracles and profound teachings.  She may have pondered how she would raise this most special of all sons.  She may have pondered what His life would mean to her and the people of Israel.  Maybe she pondered the words of the ancient prophet Isaiah, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). 
            What do you ponder at Christmas?  Maybe you can think on ways to serve the Lord and to make Him known to others around you—perhaps starting with family and friends.  Maybe you ponder the greatest story ever told—that Christ left His place with the Father to die for our sins and in our place.  Maybe you ponder the straight line that runs from Bethlehem to the cross.  Maybe you ponder the truth that the baby born in Bethlehem was born to die.  Maybe you ponder the truth of the gospel that we find in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” As you ponder the powerful story of Christmas, you can also give thanks that this story speaks to and applies to you.  The Son born to Mary can be your Savior.  The Son she carried to birth can be the Savior who fills your heart.  Take time to treasure and ponder the beauty of Christmas.  Have a great Monday.  Remember you can worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.