A Night to Ponder
“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” Luke 2:19.
Teenage girl, humble upbringing, Jewish family, simple household, ordinary life, recently engaged to be married. Angel appearing, Mary troubled, worlds colliding, hearts pounding, questions arise. Angelic announcement made, blessed and highly favored, life changing news, favor with God, calm down, panic no more. Pondering begins.
Now the news, baby to be born, you will be the child’s Mother and His name will be Jesus. He will be great, He will be Lord, He will be the Son of the Highest, He will be King! Holy Spirit upon you, Highest overshadowing you, do not be afraid, no need to panic. Faith of a teenager, let it be according to your word. Pondering continues.
Much to consider for a teenage girl, telling parents, telling my friends, oh and telling Joseph! Processing what might happen: Would Elizabeth be a source of strength to count on? Would family disown me? Would friends laugh at me? Would Joseph leave me? For a teenage girl this is a lot to grasp and much to ponder.
Conversations happen, family is at peace, friends are still friends. Joseph had a dream too. The Lord was one step ahead. Still engaged, still in love, more now than ever before. Elizabeth reaffirms, her baby jumps for joy, heart is overflowing, singing ensues, spirit rejoices, God is my Savior, more to ponder.
Months pass by, plans to be made, Joseph is such a leader, Mary is so strong, time is coming soon, trip to Bethlehem is essential, difficult journey, panic starts to return, Joseph is reassuring. Dangerous roads, longer than expected, lights are up ahead, city is nearing, little town, Bethlehem. Pains have started, Joseph is searching, rooms are full, panic returns, Joseph is resilient, barn will do, hay for a pillow, trough for a cradle, Star for some light, the time has come. Baby is born! Random cloths for clothes, random manger for bed, random couple for parents. Excited, relieved, thrilled, scared, remembering the angel’s words, ponder more.
Quiet night . . . almost silent, animals are asleep, so is the baby. Voices heard, unfamiliar, growing closer, little nervous, Joseph encounters, just some shepherds, hopeful they will let us stay in barn, they heard a baby was born, how do they know? Joy filled the air, laughter and smiles, stories of angels, appearing to shepherds, Messiah news, Glory to God, Come and worship, newborn King. Shepherds go and tell, in the city, over the mountains, everywhere… So much to ponder.
Still today, culture has changed, world is different, globe is larger, life is faster. Bethlehem remembered, manger revisited, heart examined. Sinners needy, hope is fading, life is uncertain, answers are cloudy. Savior enters, life eternal, sin removing, hope abounding, love excelling, joy overwhelming, hearts transformed. World is big, life is rapid, but a manger changes everything. Little town, Bethlehem, young couple, unassuming, small manger not a palace, Savior is born, Noel, Messiah, still today, our hearts like Mary, continue to ponder.
Teenage girl, humble upbringing, Jewish family, simple household, ordinary life, recently engaged to be married. Angel appearing, Mary troubled, worlds colliding, hearts pounding, questions arise. Angelic announcement made, blessed and highly favored, life changing news, favor with God, calm down, panic no more. Pondering begins.
Now the news, baby to be born, you will be the child’s Mother and His name will be Jesus. He will be great, He will be Lord, He will be the Son of the Highest, He will be King! Holy Spirit upon you, Highest overshadowing you, do not be afraid, no need to panic. Faith of a teenager, let it be according to your word. Pondering continues.
Much to consider for a teenage girl, telling parents, telling my friends, oh and telling Joseph! Processing what might happen: Would Elizabeth be a source of strength to count on? Would family disown me? Would friends laugh at me? Would Joseph leave me? For a teenage girl this is a lot to grasp and much to ponder.
Conversations happen, family is at peace, friends are still friends. Joseph had a dream too. The Lord was one step ahead. Still engaged, still in love, more now than ever before. Elizabeth reaffirms, her baby jumps for joy, heart is overflowing, singing ensues, spirit rejoices, God is my Savior, more to ponder.
Months pass by, plans to be made, Joseph is such a leader, Mary is so strong, time is coming soon, trip to Bethlehem is essential, difficult journey, panic starts to return, Joseph is reassuring. Dangerous roads, longer than expected, lights are up ahead, city is nearing, little town, Bethlehem. Pains have started, Joseph is searching, rooms are full, panic returns, Joseph is resilient, barn will do, hay for a pillow, trough for a cradle, Star for some light, the time has come. Baby is born! Random cloths for clothes, random manger for bed, random couple for parents. Excited, relieved, thrilled, scared, remembering the angel’s words, ponder more.
Quiet night . . . almost silent, animals are asleep, so is the baby. Voices heard, unfamiliar, growing closer, little nervous, Joseph encounters, just some shepherds, hopeful they will let us stay in barn, they heard a baby was born, how do they know? Joy filled the air, laughter and smiles, stories of angels, appearing to shepherds, Messiah news, Glory to God, Come and worship, newborn King. Shepherds go and tell, in the city, over the mountains, everywhere… So much to ponder.
Still today, culture has changed, world is different, globe is larger, life is faster. Bethlehem remembered, manger revisited, heart examined. Sinners needy, hope is fading, life is uncertain, answers are cloudy. Savior enters, life eternal, sin removing, hope abounding, love excelling, joy overwhelming, hearts transformed. World is big, life is rapid, but a manger changes everything. Little town, Bethlehem, young couple, unassuming, small manger not a palace, Savior is born, Noel, Messiah, still today, our hearts like Mary, continue to ponder.
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