Come Up Here And See

There is one word that I always associate with Christmas and that word is Pondering. Scriptures that relate to the birth of Jesus read that Mary pondered many details on the first Christmas. Pondering is defined by Cambridge as thinking carefully about something, especially for a length of time.  I believe the reason I ponder these scriptures is because I like to think things over and over to the point that even my husband tells me to give it a rest. I also understand the importance of meditating on a subject because if we don’t, we tend to ignore, disregard, or even overlook important details that can cause serious mistakes in our lives.

We need to ponder the truths of the Word of God so that we believe and obey Jesus.

• John 3:36 NASB He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

So, let us carefully read the Christmas scriptures and learn why Mary pondered.

Gabriel, the angel, came to Mary with greetings of “Oh favoured one, the Lord is with you.” Gabriel told her not to be afraid because she had favour with God. Surprise, she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit with the long-awaited Messiah. Her baby would be the Son of God, the holy one. Mary agrees to the angel’s proclamation. Interestingly, the scripture reads that she ponders at the greeting, but it does not say she wondered about becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She agreed by saying Yes, Lord.  

• Luke 1:26-29 NASB Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was very perplexed at this statement and was pondering what kind of greeting this was.

Next, we read that the census decreed by Caesar Augustus forced Joseph and Mary to make a long, tiring journey to Bethlehem. By the time they arrived there was no room in the inn. The only place they found to lie down was in a stable with animals. Mary’s labour started, and she delivered the baby in a stable and laid baby Jesus wrapped in cloths in a manger.

Shepherds tending to the sheep in the meadows received a visitation from an angel of the Lord declaring good news of great joy that the Saviour, Christ the Lord, was born in the city of David.  A multitude of angels appeared and sang praises to God. They came to Bethlehem to see this amazing Saviour, Christ the Lord. They shared with Joseph and Mary what the angels had proclaimed about the baby born in the stable. Once again, the scriptures tell us that Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds departed back to their pastures to keep watch over their flocks by night.

• Luke 2:18-20 NASB ¹⁸ And all who heard it were amazed about the things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

After eight days, Joseph and Mary presented baby Jesus to the Lord for purification at the temple.  Simeon, a righteous and devout man and Anna, a prophetess, blessed them and prophesied about Jesus. These prophesies included:

• A Light of Revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel
• This Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel.
• A sword would even pierce Mary’s soul
• The Redemption of Jerusalem

• Luke 2:33NASB And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 

We do not hear again about Jesus until he is twelve years old.  Their family travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. After the celebration and travelling home one day with the caravan, the parents realized they could not find Jesus. Joseph and Mary returned looking for Jesus, and where did they find him? Of course, they found Him in the temple, but the scholars were asking Him questions. As regular parents, Mary asked Jesus, Son, what have you been up to? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You. To Jesus, the obvious answer was I had to be in My Father’s house. Mary treasured all these things in her heart.

• Luke 2:48-51 NASB When Joseph and Mary saw Him, they were bewildered; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You!” ⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ And yet they on their part did not understand the statement which He had made to them. ⁵¹ And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued to be subject to them, and His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

We do not see Mary or Jesus again until the wedding in Cana. The wedding hosts have run out of wine, and Mary told Jesus do something. Mary believed that Jesus would take care of a small thing like providing wine for the wedding. This momma was unswerving when Jesus said my time had not come. I love that Mary said to the servants, do whatever He says. She had too many personal experiences to ever doubt Jesus. She had been pondering truths about the Lord Jesus for thirty years. Since Mary was undaunting Jesus performed His first miracle at the Wedding in Cana. He turned water into wine.

• John 2:9-11 NASB  Now when the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the groom, and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the guests are drunk, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Scriptures of pondering or treasuring things in your heart make me stop and ask questions:

• Am I thinking about the Lord and who He is?
• Am I treasuring all that He has done so far?
• Am I writing my testimonies so I can muse about what God has done?
• Am I pondering about the Word of God so that when God speaks, I will be obedient?
• If I am, then I will say Yes, Lord.

This Christmas season I pray that we will see the importance of pondering about who the Lord is. Jesus is the Consolation of Israel, the Day Star, Our Deliverer, Emmanuel, Faithful and True Witness, Gift of God, Friend of Sinners, Holy One of Israel, Horn of Salvation, the Great I AM, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Redeemer, Righteousness, Root of David, Son of the Most High, and Wonderful Counselor. This list does not include all the names and there is one scripture about Jesus’ name that we must think over every day.

• Philippians 2: 10-11 KJV That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Spirit of the Living God, I pray that You would encourage us to ponder the miracles of the first Christmas. As we think about the sacrifice You made of leaving heaven to come to a stable, we would be grateful, in Jesus’ name, amen.