Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2019

“Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” —Luke 2:19 NKJV

Most nativity sets show the Baby Jesus lying in a manger surrounded by the adoring figures of his mother, Joseph, a shepherd or two, three wise men, and assorted animals—all overseen by a watchful and protective angel. Of course, it wasn’t quite like that. Those critics bothered by the historical inaccuracies of the scenes are quick to point out that the wise men likely didn’t show up for another year or two, and that nowhere in the Biblical story does it tell us there were three of them. Some will even complain about the star. Astronomical research has led to all sorts of speculations about the star; it likely wasn’t particularly bright; it was probably a certain conjunction of planets that those ancient astrologers would have noticed and taken as a sign. On and on it goes, 

Then there’s that persistent angel hovering over the scene. According to the story, from the time just prior to Mary’s conception until some time after his birth when Joseph was warned in a dream to flee into Egypt, there were no angelic visitations for the Holy Family. Angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields the night of Jesus’ birth, but there’s no indication Mary and Joseph took notice of it. They had more pressing matters to attend to. As far as we know, inside that stable (if indeed they managed to find refuge in a stable; all it says is that Jesus was laid in a manger, mentioning not a single word regarding shelter for the family), it was dark and smelly and crowded. There were no beams of soft light shining upon the Baby. 

Joseph and Mary were a young couple all alone in a strange village, trying their best to care for this baby in the midst of discouraging circumstances. God had spoken decisively to them both, but that was nine months ago; since then, just silence. Is that how God works, giving a message so clear it cannot be mistaken, then leaving us to wonder and weep when everything falls apart?

The shepherds, having the message of the heavenly host still ringing in their ears, stopped by before going on their way bearing the news of the Savior just born. Not Mary. Tonight she wasn’t a messenger; she was a mother, and she simply pondered. 

I wonder what she thought. Was she wishing she had a better place to lay her newborn? Was she remembering the Annunciation nearly a year before, trying to figure out how this night could possibly fit into such a visitation? Was she worried for the future, or just filled with the wonder of this new life she held to her breast? We may never know, but if the story says anything to me, it tells me that while there are times to joyously proclaim the Good News with the shepherds, there are other times, just as important, when it is right to just sit and ponder with Mary what God might be up to in the crazy, convoluted mess of the life we’ve been given.

Merry Christmas!