December 23, 2016 – Luke 2:19

Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19Such a precious time, Jesus’ birth, safely snuggled in Mary’s arms. She thought about the shepherds’ visit, the angel who had announced the birth of Jesus, and each further happening that God planned.She was there as Jesus was crucified…a mother’s most fearsome dread…the death of her first born.  She continued to ponder – thinking about all these things.  She rejoiced when death turned to life and Jesus rose from the dead.  Mary could have written a book about her experiences with God and his Angels, but she kept these things hidden in her heart.The verse that strikes deep into my heart are these lyrics from “Mary, did you know?”  “Mary did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God?”The shepherds went back to tend their flocks.  But they were changed.  They glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen.  When we truly choose Jesus and live for Him as our Savior, we are changed forever.  We glorify and praise God and we know for a surety we are holding His joy and love in our hearts and hands.  We trust Him to lead us to God in Heaven.Now, two thousand years later, it is still just as the angel told the shepherds.  Love is steadfast from the One who knew us before we were formed in our mothers’ womb.

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:20