Each year on Christmas Eve, we read the birth story of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:1-20). Why? Only two Gospels – Matthew and Luke – contain details of Jesus’ conception and birth. Of the two, Luke is the only one that gives the details about the actual scene at the manger. Yet in the midst of all the details, the one verse that resonates most with me every single year is verse 19 where it says, “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” In the midst of the excitement of a combined angel and animal choir plus shepherds showing up in the delivery room, Mary is still and quiet. She is soaking in all that has happened thus far, and she is pondering the way in which God has broken into her world.

In the busyness of the holiday season, how often do you stop and simply be? It’s very easy to let the present buying and Christmas partying overwhelm our time and our energy so much so that we don’t slow down to ponder in our hearts the ways in which God is at work in our world, and more specifically, in our individual lives. In the coming days, I encourage you to be intentional about taking time to reflect on how God is present for us now. Make time to read the Christmas story by yourself, with your family, or with friends. And join us in worship on Christmas Eve at 4:00pm to celebrate the greatest gift that’s ever been given. Being intentional about pondering the ways of God is time you won’t regret spending.

For unto us a child is born! Merry Christmas!!