pon·der
: to weigh in the mind : appraise
: to think about : reflect on
: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
A new mother. A newborn king. Shepherds gather. A star shines bright. The Messiah. Glory.
A new mother. A precious almost seven month old. Worries. Expectations. Delight. Prayers. Joy.
As a new mother, I've spent a lot of time this Christmas season thinking about the things that Mary must have pondered in her heart.
I feel certain she pondered some of the same things that I ponder as a new mother. Will my baby be healthy? Happy? Will I be a good mother? Am I equipped to teach my child right and wrong? What will my child be interested in? Will he/she like to read? dance? sing? Will he/she be artistic or analytical?
But Mary must have pondered much more than these things...
Mary must have pondered on how in the world was she chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. She must have wondered how she found favor in the eyes of God.
But are these things really different from the ponderings of my heart? I've spent the better part of almost seven months wondering how in the world I was chosen to be Sweet Petite's mother. And I've often wondered how a sinner like me, with all my imperfections and flaws and chaos, could find enough favor in the Lord's eyes to spend eternity with Him. But the beauty of Christmas is the simple fact that God loved me (and you and everyone on this planet) so much that He sent His son, Jesus...as the best Christmas gift of all.
My entire focus has been changed this Christmas season. No longer do I worry about the gifts...how I'm going to afford all of them...will they like it...what am I getting...blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Instead, I have been more focused on teaching Harper and Victor the true meaning of the holiday season. I have been intentional on talking more about Jesus this season and less about Santa and elves and boxes and bows. I want them both to grow up in the understanding that Christmas is not about Santa or presents or stockings or parties. It is about the Messiah. His birth. His life. His death. His resurrection. It is about the gift of salvation. And that gift comes in one-size-fits-all. And it is a gift that keeps on giving.
May your heart ponder the true meaning of the holiday. May you open the gift of Jesus and enjoy Him all year long. May you rest in the truth that Jesus was sent for you and He wants you to unwrap His love and wear it around your heart. May you and yours have a peace-filled Christmas, secure in the fact that you are deeply cherished.
A new mother. A newborn king. Shepherds gather. A star shines bright. The Messiah. Glory.
"But Mary treasured up all these things and
pondered them in her heart."
pondered them in her heart."
~Luke 2:19
A new mother. A precious almost seven month old. Worries. Expectations. Delight. Prayers. Joy.
As a new mother, I've spent a lot of time this Christmas season thinking about the things that Mary must have pondered in her heart.
I feel certain she pondered some of the same things that I ponder as a new mother. Will my baby be healthy? Happy? Will I be a good mother? Am I equipped to teach my child right and wrong? What will my child be interested in? Will he/she like to read? dance? sing? Will he/she be artistic or analytical?
But Mary must have pondered much more than these things...
Mary must have pondered on how in the world was she chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. She must have wondered how she found favor in the eyes of God.
But are these things really different from the ponderings of my heart? I've spent the better part of almost seven months wondering how in the world I was chosen to be Sweet Petite's mother. And I've often wondered how a sinner like me, with all my imperfections and flaws and chaos, could find enough favor in the Lord's eyes to spend eternity with Him. But the beauty of Christmas is the simple fact that God loved me (and you and everyone on this planet) so much that He sent His son, Jesus...as the best Christmas gift of all.
My entire focus has been changed this Christmas season. No longer do I worry about the gifts...how I'm going to afford all of them...will they like it...what am I getting...blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Instead, I have been more focused on teaching Harper and Victor the true meaning of the holiday season. I have been intentional on talking more about Jesus this season and less about Santa and elves and boxes and bows. I want them both to grow up in the understanding that Christmas is not about Santa or presents or stockings or parties. It is about the Messiah. His birth. His life. His death. His resurrection. It is about the gift of salvation. And that gift comes in one-size-fits-all. And it is a gift that keeps on giving.
May your heart ponder the true meaning of the holiday. May you open the gift of Jesus and enjoy Him all year long. May you rest in the truth that Jesus was sent for you and He wants you to unwrap His love and wear it around your heart. May you and yours have a peace-filled Christmas, secure in the fact that you are deeply cherished.
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