God, You, & Luke 2: Day 15

A couple of ladies I admire left comments on Facebook about a word I mentioned on Day 13.

The word was "ponder."

My thanks to them for their words. Their perspective opened that word up wider for me and encouraged me.

Little did they know that I had an entire post planned to talk about that beautiful word.

She pondered the shepherd's words.

We are told "they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child." Those words made known are worth repeating here.


"And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
                                                                                     (Luke 2:10-14 ESV)


I picture the shepherds breathlessly, nervously, entering the stable. Mary is staring at her newborn son as she listens to the shepherds begin their story about being out in the field like always, when, all of the sudden... They then fill in the details of that night, culminating with the words of the angel and the angel army.

Mary had already had some words from an angel - the one that had spoken to her, and, indirectly, the one who had spoken to Joseph in his dream. Those words had sustained her up until this point. Maybe, after all she and Joseph had been through since then, she was in need of some divine encouragement. The shepherds knew nothing of her history. But they could't keep in what had happened to them that night.

Mary heard their words, and her travel weary, stable weary, labor weary body and heart were filled with the kind of strength that really strengthens. How she treasured those words.

And those angelic words delivered to her by the lowly shepherds, were so rich and full that they echoed in her heart. What did it all mean exactly? A Savior? A sign? Peace on earth? She turned it all over and over in her mind and heart.

She pondered.

We, too, have been given beautiful words in a Holy book. Words so rich and full. What do they mean exactly? A Savior? A sign? Peace on earth? We need to turn it all over and over in our mind.

We, too, need to ponder.