January Devotion: “Something Wonderful Happened Here!”
And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this Child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:17-19
Pondering.
The first European eyes ever to look upon the Grand Canyon were men who were with the Spanish Conquistador, Coronado. That was way back in the 1540s. Since that time, millions have come to see that 277-mile-long gorge. Every generation has been amazed at its fantastic shapes and multi-colored peaks, canyons, ravines, and layers of rock — and at what has been called the most “awe inspiring of Earth’s spectacles.”
Not so long ago, a man stood with his young son at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Pondering the beauty which lay before them, the boy said to his father, “Dad, something must have happened here!”
With Christmas gone, we, like Mary, may find ourselves pondering the events of these last weeks. It is my belief that if a stranger had seen our churches, our homes, our tables, our lights, our trees, our cards, our presents,he might also be moved to say, “Something has happened here!” If he thought that, he would be right, wouldn’t he?
Something has happened. Of course, that which happened will not be found in strings of lights, in the Muzak which was constantly blazing, in the wrapped presents or exhausted shopping malls. If a stranger wanted to understand what has happened, they would do well to go and talk to Mary.
After everything had happened it says, “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Mary pondered how something had happened in Rome and Bethlehem and Nazareth and Jerusalem and Egypt. She pondered something which she knew would change the world.
With Christmas over and most of the decorations put away, it is time for us to join her in that pondering. It is time for us to ponder a love so great it can skip over oceans and span centuries. It is time for us to ponder a light so bright it still shines after all the Christmas strings are unplugged and put away. It is time for us to ponder a gift so profoundly personal it should never be set to the side or stuffed away for some other day.
It is time for us to ponder a Savior who has lived, died, risen and remains with all those who — with a repentant heart — see what He has done for them.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the season of Christmas may be over, but the story of the Savior continues on. It continues on in my life — in every minute and every day of my life. May I give thanks and continue to ponder how, because of Jesus, something happened here in my heart. In Your Name. Amen.