The night of Jesus's birth was an intense one for Mary and Joseph. They had just traveled 70 to 100 miles on foot (or possibly with an animal for Mary to ride on) from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a hard journey in general, but especially for someone nine months pregnant. Then there was no place to stay, so Jesus's birth happens in a stable (likely a cave) and he's laid down in a feeding trough to sleep. Then a group of shepherds shows up (maybe with their sheep in tow) and interrupts Mary's rest. But Luke tells us Mary "treasured up these things in her heart". She remembered God's goodness, as he was orchestrating everything to fulfill his plans of good for all peoples everywhere. What are you treasuring up in your heart? Your griefs & grievances, or God's goodness & grace?
No one had an experience of the first Christmas quite like Mary did, and no one else ever will. This Advent season we’re looking at the biblical accounts of Jesus’s birth through the eyes of Jesus's mother, a young girl named Mary.
