Links for today’s readings:
Read: Nehemiah 8 Listen: (4:07), Read: Revelation 17 (3:19)
Scripture Focus: Luke 2.17-18
17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Reflection: A Pondering Pause
By John Tillman
Do you crash after Christmas?
For many, the pressure of making and having a “perfect Christmas,” sends our activity and stress levels soaring like magic reindeer. Once the day passes, we can crash emotionally, physically, or even spiritually.
The disciplines of the church calendar can help prevent this. Advent’s weekly themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, moderate the influence of our splurge and purge, dash and crash culture. But we still may sense the need for a rest. A pause.
Mary surely rested following the excitement, stress, and danger of the day of Jesus’ birth. She had messages of angels and shepherds to ponder. But the revelation that began with the annunciation and continued in her prophetic song was incomplete. There was more to be revealed.
No. Mary didn’t know everything.
She had not yet heard Simeon’s or Anna’s prophecies in the Temple of her child’s importance and the sword that would pierce her. She had not yet received strange foreign Magi and their grand, yet prophetically disturbing, gifts. She had not yet fled into Egypt to protect her child’s life. She had not yet seen him, twelve years old in the Temple, confounding religious leaders with his wisdom. She had not yet heard him call God his father and the Temple his home. She had not yet seen him turn water to wine, protecting the dignity of the unfortunate. She had not yet heard his first sermon, proclaiming liberty for the captives. She had not yet seen the audience for this sermon attempt to kill him for his words.
There was much Mary did not yet know and much we do not yet know. Like Mary, you have not yet seen all that God will do. Like the Magi, you will discover Jesus is so much more than a star, a baby, or an earthly king.
Following Christmas Day, instead of collapsing in exhaustion, despair, or regret, take a more positive, pondering pause. Instead of a post-Christmas crash, find comfort in the slow burn toward Epiphany. Epiphany means “manifestation” and is another gift of the church calendar falling on January 6th.
The days in between can be a beautiful time to ponder the past while leaning forward in anticipation. Take a breath in these days following Christmas and prepare your heart for new revelations.
Rest in what we know and reach toward what will be revealed.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. — Psalm 31.1-5
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more about Mary’s Story — Love of Advent
God can dramatically transform, and God can dramatically indwell. No matter our story, we belong within the love of Jesus.
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