From Luke 2… So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard of it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
I’ve heard this line before many, many times. But it never crossed my mind that what Mary was treasuring in her heart and pondering on was something the shepherds told her.
They told the story about how they found out of Jesus birth – from angels! Their testimony was a witness. It was a good word that encouraged Mary so much that she kept those thoughts rolling around in her head.
This moves me to think about what we say this Christmas. Some of the most treasured words may not be from the preacher during a Christmas Service – they may be the words and stories you share with someone around you. Some of those stories will be the outright stories of Jesus’ birth in lots of different ways – from reading it on Christmas morning to hearing it during the season. Other stories, however, will be things that have happened to us. It will be the recounting of ways God has worked in our lives or blessed our family. It might be memories and funny things that happened. It may come across in the way we present ourselves with confidence to family and friends that we have not seen for months or years. The witness and attitude we have toward the faithfulness and grace of God – all stories that give glory to Jesus. Stories of faithfulness. Stories of how the Lord has changed us.
We may never know who which hearer will treasure the words in their hearts. But, when we tell stories, like the shepherds who recounted to Mary their conversation with the angels, powerful things happen.
Tell those stories with confidence.
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