Luke 2:1-21
Mary Treasured Up These Things
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 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.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
I think of things today and how we live and lucky we are comparing our comforts to those of two thousand years ago...I look to be comfortable often...And I avoid, the best I can, those things of discomfort...
Mary was in her nine month of pregnancy...And she and her husband Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem from Nazareth...And they did not have cars or public transportation to take them to the City of David...I wonder if it had crossed Mary's mind, that why is God making us travel while I am expecting...Then, to dd to the frustration, Joseph cannot find a room, so they must sleep in a barn-type atmosphere...And while in labor she has her Baby, and He is placed in a manger...
Yet, through all of this the shepherds were near her, Joseph, and the newly born Jesus...And these shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night...An angel of the LORD appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified...But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people...Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the LORD...This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”...So the shepherds 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...
And we know that she labored in unfavorable conditions, especially, if we compare them to today's standard...Instead of being upset or frustrated because of her uncomfortable situation and setting, Mary treasured up these things and pondered them in her heart...And to her that day One was born in these stable conditions, a Savior, who is Christ Our LORD...A Mother's Love...