The Christmas season is slipping away from us. I hope you’ve had time to quietly ponder the mystery of the Christmas story. When the shepherds told Joseph and Mary that angels had announced the birth of her son to them in the fields, Luke says, “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, NIV). Just think of what has happened. Mary is in a strange place not her own home; she has given birth to a son who was conceived by a miracle through the Holy Spirit; angels have visited; shepherds have visited; the people around her are in wonder; this little baby is called Christ, Savior, Lord; and He will bring God’s peace and favor to us! Mary must have wondered, How! How can this be? What does this all mean?
During World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower was in Europe, directing the planning for the D-Day invasion. During the intense moments of preparation word came of the death of his father. What do you do at such a moment? It was impossible for Eisenhower to leave his command. He couldn’t possibly return home, nor was it possible for him to take time off to grieve and process his sorrow. But, as he wrote in his book, it also was not possible to go ahead with business-as-usual. What did he do? He sent everyone out of his office and he set aside thirty minutes to think about his dad, and to write out his thoughts in a diary. After half an hour, he forced himself to get back to work; but he left his office early that evening thinking about his dad and putting his feelings to paper. That’s all he could do.
As we leave the Christmas season this year, think of this. If General Eisenhower, in the midst of planning for the invasion of Europe, could shut the door and spend half an hour thinking about the death of his earthly father, should we not find a way to shut the door, open our Bibles, and think again about the birth of our earthly Savior? Friends, it is good to take time to ponder, as did Mary, these wonderful things in our hearts. In these last few days before the new year, I invite you to take time to sit at your desk or your kitchen table in the soft glow of a single lamp or candle, and read through the Christmas story once again, contemplating and praising and worshiping Almighty God. Like Simeon, hold Jesus in your thoughts and bless God; then ask God to be with you in 2014.
