Advent Day Two

Luke 2:15-20

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

This is one of the most amazing stories in the Bible. You probably have heard it many times and it just seems like repetition, but I want to focus on one verse. Verse 19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”  

Have you ever been in a thick forest with trees everywhere?  When you are in a forest like that it seems like you can’t see where you are going. You might feel lost. Maybe even scared and alone. In our lives we have many challenges that we have to face each day. It is like being in that forest. Every tree is a problem or an issue that you can’t see past, and it seems like they are closing in on you. All your problems, worries, hurts, and the craziness in our world. Then you tell yourself, “I know Jesus.  He is the way, the truth, and the life. I know I will be ok.” Then you open your eyes and all you can see is that forest surrounding you, and you begin to doubt and question what you believe or how strong you believe it.  

Mary was chosen by God to give birth to the savior of the world.  She was chosen to raise a child that was fully God and fully man. An imperfect woman raising a perfect child. Can you imagine what was going through her mind? Now among all the amazing moments that she has experienced to this point, there is one more.  

A group of shepherds surround Joseph, Mary, and the baby.  They have also experienced something so incredible that they left their sheep in the field, so they could see for themselves. But what was Mary thinking?  She couldn’t see the future. She could not see when Joseph would die, or what kind of ministry Jesus would have, or even when, if or how Jesus would give up his life.      

Mary trusted God in the good times and bad.  She did not know what the outcome of her story would be, and God took care of her. Every step of the way. We are blessed that we can step out of that forest, step back from the craziness and realize that God is holding you just like He was holding Mary. Our lives and our minds are filled with so many things, and God has invited us to trust in Him. Will you trust Him?

Psalm 73:23-26

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”