What's In Your Heart?

We have all heard the advertisement on TV that ends with the question; “What’s in your wallet/” It’s an advertisement for a credit card which many people do carry in their wallets, purses and handbags. I have no doubt but what your card has seen frequent use this year. Well, I’m not going to ask, “What’s in your wallet but instead; “What’s in your heart?” My reason for asking the question is found in Luke 2:15-19. “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known unto us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

      What do we ponder in our hearts when surrounded by all the excitement of the season? Are we thinking about the busyness of the season the hectic pace that we have set for ourselves? Is our heart asking the question; “Did I get the right gift for him or for her?” Are we wondering whether the turkey is enough to feed everyone? Perhaps we are even thinking about the mess we have to clean up after all of this is over.

   What was Mary pondering in her heart?  I believe based on what I read in the gospel that Mary was thinking about what the angel had previously told her would happen. “Mary you have found favor with God and now you will conceive and bear a son and you will call Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy, He will be called the Son of God.” Perhaps she was also thinking about the visit to the home of her cousin Elizabeth. When Mary had entered her cousin’s home Elizabeth cried out; “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” Then, Elizabeth said something to Mary which in the reading of the Christmas story we often overlook not intentionally it’s just that we failed to give it serious thought. Elizabeth said; “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Mary on that night so long ago was pondering in her heart how wonderful God was in keeping his promises. What are you pondering in your heart this Christmas?

Pastor John

A Blessed Christmas to All