Pondering

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 NIV

I love worshiping late on Christmas eve. By 10:30 at night, if you're not ready for Christmas... Well... You probably aren't going to be, so it's an excellent time to stop, breathe, and focus on the Holy Infant's birth. It's a time to just sit back and soak it all in.

Last night we heard the nativity story from the Gospel of Luke, chapter two being read...again. I found myself wondering how many time I have heard this story in my life. Certainly every year since I started going to church. But even prior to that, I had heard it other places, like in the yearly television treat of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (thank you for your part in spreading the Word, Charles Shultz!). And then I began to think about how many times and in how many places that same story was being told at that same moment... Or maybe a little earlier that day. And about all the times the story has been told over the last two thousand and some years. And even before that, how God's people have always shared the amazing stories of God's love as they gathered in communities of faith to worship him.

As I thought of all that, I felt it as well. I felt this amazing sense of connectedness with all the saints today and throughout all the ages. What a rich and powerful and miraculous heritage we have!

And a thousand years from now, if Christ has not yet returned, the story will still be told... The incredible story of God made Flesh. The story of Love come down. The story of a Baby in a manger and shepherds who adored him and kings who bowed to him and angels who burst into song and a star that outshined the rest... And a mother who pondered all these things in her heart.

Merry CHRISTmas. I love you all.