Treasuring these things
Today's focusThe shepherds hurry to see, then tell everyone, while Mary quietly treasures all these things in her heart — two responses to the wonder of Christmas.
Read
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Reflection
After the angels departed, the shepherds acted "with haste" to find the child. Their response was one of immediate movement and loud joy. Once they "had seen it," they could not keep the news to themselves; they "made known abroad" everything they had been told. Their encounter with the savior led to a public celebration, "glorifying and praising God" for the wonders they had witnessed. For many of us, faith feels like this—an urgent desire to share the good news and shout our thanks to the Lord.
Yet, in the middle of this excitement, we see a different response in Mary. While the crowds "wondered" at the reports, Mary "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." She did not rush to speak; instead, she held the mystery close, reflecting deeply on what God was doing. You may find yourself in a season of quiet reflection rather than loud praise. Both responses are faithful. Whether you are hurrying to share the news like the shepherds or quietly treasuring God's work in your heart like Mary, you are responding to the wonder of His presence.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Are you more like the shepherds who told everyone, or like Mary who pondered quietly? How could you practise both this week?
Pray
Lord, help me not to rush past the wonder of your coming. Like Mary, let me treasure your works in my heart; like the shepherds, let me glorify and praise you and tell others what I have seen.