Saturday, December 21, 2024 // Day 21

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. —Luke 2:15–20

AS IT HAD BEEN TOLD

We continue the story of the shepherds, the angels’ message, and their reactions. The shepherds are told in the most shocking, exciting way that the Savior they have been waiting for has been born. The shepherds’ response was urgent, and they immediately went to see for themselves. The wording of the passage conveys that they went to see because they believed, not because they thought it was crazy or untrue. What a great example they have set for us, which makes me think: when I hear from God (which probably won’t be from a choir of angels) is my first response to urgently believe and respond? Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes the answer is no.

Then the shepherds went to tell people what they had experienced. And the people’s response? The original Greek says that it was thaumázō, which means “to wonder, to marvel at, to admire.” It was shocking, exciting, and a great mystery at the same time. Mary, after having been told the story by the shepherds, was not shocked or astonished, probably because she had a similar experience. Mary had been visited by an angel when she was told about God’s plan for her. Because of this, she went inward to think about all that God had done in her life.

We also must remember that Mary had just gone through a great ordeal that was NOT on her birthing plan: she had traveled, was rejected by inns, and then gave birth in a stable. After being worn down and tired, what was her response? To treasure the experience and ponder it, meditate on it, thinking about it often. This is another great example of how we can respond. When God does something amazing in our lives, we should remember it and meditate on it often. I once learned a practice that has been helpful to me: when God does something amazing in your life, solidify that experience by putting up a spiritual pillar, or mentally saving the tab in “favorites.” Then, when you encounter life’s difficulties, you can look back to them to see how God has worked before, and can work again in your life.

Carrie Hinson