“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NIV).
There are so many things for a new mother to treasure concerning her child. There are the firsts – the first sound her baby makes (even if it’s crying), the first moment her newborn gazes into her eyes, the first time he (and she) sleeps through the entire night. Then, there are the firsts to come – the first stumbling steps, the first mumbling words, the first time he says “I love you”, and the not-too-far-down-the-road first day of school. There are so many first time experiences that both thrill and overwhelm even the most prepared of mothers.
Jesus’ mother, Mary was anything but prepared, it would seem. Just a child herself, Mary was charged with the awesome and overwhelming task of giving birth to the Savior of the world. A frightening visit from an angel, the scandal of teen pregnancy, and an expecting mother’s long trek to Bethlehem would have been too much for most to handle. Mary, however, seemed to take everything in stride. She was, after all, God’s chosen vessel to bring Jesus into the world.
There was so much for Mary to treasure in Jesus, God’s gift to her and to all of mankind. And there was much to ponder. This baby of hers was special. He was the Messiah, the Savior to Israel, God dressed in human flesh, and she adored him. Still she pondered.
Perhaps Mary mourned in the dim light of that moonlit stable. Although she did not fully understand all that her son would face in life, she knew that God had some sort of special plan for her boy. The baby she held so close would one day be held to a cross. The life she gave to her child would be given for all. For now, however, Mary treasured Jesus. She pondered. And she worshiped him.
Chuck Kralik, Author 