Most years, the Christmas season feels busy and sometimes rushed—even in the church. Many of us juggle different celebrations, gatherings and other obligations. This year, however, it’s changed and a lot of us are feeling a different anxiety or longing for missed traditions. In Luke 2, we read these words: “Mary treasured up all these things” (v19, 51). In fact, we see those words twice! The first time after the
January to March is our high season with five events over 10 weeks. I (Alvin) admit I'm not good at taking a step back to be in the moment with God. Too many times, I'm thinking ahead to what's next. And yet, when I think back to Luke 2, twice the author points out that Mary "treasured" two moments: Jesus' birth along with the jubilant exclamation of the shepherds, and
The excitement of the coming of Jesus can be surreal at times. I can’t imagine what the first Christmas was like, to experience the juxtaposition of a dingy stable where Jesus was born to the grand angelic choir that announced his birth. Luke 2:19 tells us that Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Again, after Jesus’ visit to the temple at age 12, v51
