Google tells us, “To ponder means to think about something very carefully and deeply, often for a significant amount of time, weighing it in your mind as if it had weight, like considering options for a decision or reflecting on life’s big questions. It’s a more intense form of thinking than just “thinking about it,” involving meditation, reflection, and deliberation.” BAM! Pondering takes time… intentional, focused time.

But what does this have to do with Christmas? Frankly, we have less time than money this time of the year. We have so many places to go, people to see. It’s crazy & exhausting.

When we slowly read the Christmas story found in Luke 2, we find the why. In verse 15-20, “So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

Have you pondered, “Who is Jesus to me?”

Considering your 24-hour day, how much time do you set aside for Him? Do you set aside time because it’s a duty or because you want to know Him personally?

While the Christmas story began in Bethlehem it ended in the vacant tomb in Jerusalem. After Jesus was crucified, He was buried in a borrowed tomb ( Luke 23:50-56) that was sealed by the government (Matthew 27:66). We pick up the rest of the story 3 days later in John 20:11-16 “Now Mary (different Mary) stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).” It is obvious Mary had spent a lot of  time with Jesus. She knew He was the Resurrected Jesus when He called her name.

How about you? Do you recognize His voice? Do what Mary did this Christmas… find time to ponder Him!

Merry Christmas