12.22.21
Mary Pondered
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
We of course are observing and celebrating Christmas this week. Our text above is one of the verses that has intrigued me Upon what things did she ponder? This is a good question, one that demands some pondering of its own. Let us consider some of things that were likely on the heart of this young woman as she was at the center of all that was happening that first Christmas.
First, no doubt, she recalled the angelic visitor (Luke 1:26-38). Here she was, going about her daily routine, and a heavenly messenger from the Lord appeared and spoke to her. Not many people in all of history have enjoyed such a rare treat. Of course, the conversation she had with Gabriel was still on her heart: And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And, behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”
Has anyone else ever heard words such as these? Mary was likely in her teens, engaged to Joseph, but still a virgin. Most young Jewish girls had, for the past 2000 years, longed to be the mother of the coming Messiah. She, Mary of Nazareth, had been chosen! How incomprehensible, such that she evermore pondered this in her heart.
Second, Mary was privileged to visit her cousin Elizabeth as she awaited the birth of her first-born son in her old age. Mary’s exaltation (Luke 1:46-56) demonstrates that she had a deep understanding of OT messianic prophecy.
Third, eventually, Jesus was born. But under what circumstances! Mary and Joseph had to leave Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem in order to pay their taxes. This in itself was orchestrated by God to be a fulfillment of the words of Micah 5:2. The baby was born in an animal’s stall. Then, the visit of the shepherds, which was what occasioned our text. They had seen an angelic host, proclaiming the Messiah’s birth. Their joy and excitement was contagious.
Fourth, of all things, the babe she held in her arms, was the Messiah. He was the Son of God. He was Immanuel—‘God with us;’ indeed the God-Man. Who could comprehend this? As Mary thought on this, and tried to connect the dots of all the OT prophecies, she was overwhelmed, and thus pondered these things in her heart.
This was only the beginning of her life of pondering. May you have a blessed Christmas as we, with Mary, ponder, consider, and meditate upon God’s wonderful and precious Word.