pondering them in her heart. Luke 2: 19
Those who study the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, have discovered that she possessed many qualities worthy of our attention and emulation. One of her qualities in particular was that she apparently treasured God’s Word in her heart. Our own recent devotional meditations have revealed several of Mary’s character qualities. What follows are six meditations that we hope will encourage you during these final days of Advent leading to Christmas:
Day
1: Holiness: Pure in Heart
Scripture: Now in
the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called
Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph – Luke 1:
26-27a
Read: Read Psalm 24: 3-5
Consider:
After the angelic announcement to her, Mary received the
news of Joseph’s dream; then, the visit of the shepherds, and the prophetic
claims from Simeon and the prophetess Anna. Mary certainly had many “things” to “treasure
in her heart”--more than any mother in all of human history. But, as
we celebrate the treasured revelations and experiences surrounding Mary, we
must not forget what may have been her greatest treasure—her purity. Having kept herself a virgin in a worldly culture
suggests that Mary also cherished many other godly virtues deep in her heart. She was a young woman “pure in heart.” All indications are that she was sincere,
honest, free from deceit, and single-mindedly devoted in her love for God. Her Son would later speak a Beatitude in
keeping with today’s Scripture reading (above): Blessed are the pure in
heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5: 8).
Application:
Have you ever wished that God would speak to you
clearly as He did to Mary and Joseph? Generally,
God does not speak to us audibly or through angels. But God has given us His Son, Jesus our
Savior, who died on a Roman cross to pay the penalty for our sin; then, rose
again so that whoever believes in Him will have Eternal Life (John 3: 16). By personal faith that Jesus is who He
claimed to be, we receive the Life of His Holy Spirit to abide in us, to teach
us, and to speak to us as we read from the pages of the Bible, God’s Holy
Word. Are you seeking the privilege of
intimately abiding in God’s holy sanctuary through the blood of Christ? We hope these devotional meditations will
increase your desire to pursue holiness and intimacy with God as expressed in
Psalm 24: 3-5.
Scripture: And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled…” – Luke 1: 28-29a
Read: Luke 1: 5-12; 26-29
Consider:
Both the Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, and Mary, virgin mother of Jesus experienced great fear when the angel appeared to them (Luke 1: 12 and Luke 1: 29). Their fear was typical of Bible personalities who encountered the glory of God directly or through His messengers (e.g. Isaiah 6: 1-5; Daniel 10: 7). Likely, their fear was stirred by their sudden encounter with something unknown, glorious, and holy. Their immediate response was to recognize their own unholiness. Only God is holy. He is altogether unique and “other” compared to our human, imperfect natures. I am the LORD, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God (Isaiah 45: 5). Although Scripture portrays Mary as a godly young woman, it is clear that God’s choice of Mary was not because she had earned His grace by her good works. Instead, because of God’s sovereign choice to favor Mary with His gift of grace that was already at work in her life, she was considered “highly favored" as God's chosen one to bear His Son into this world.
Application:
Have you ever received a gift or blessing which you clearly recognized as undeserved and beyond your ability to earn? Likely, you felt an overwhelming sense of joy and thankfulness. In like manner, we ought to respond in reverent joy and praise for the Gift of God’s redemption which makes us “favored in His sight.” Salvation and New Life in Christ is the greatest Christmas Gift ever! Mary’s reverent response began as one who “was greatly troubled…” and “she pondered” what Gabriel had said (Luke 1: 29). But then, in her humble awareness of God’s greatness, Mary exclaimed, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (Luke 1: 46-47). Isn’t God worthy of our worship? The Apostle Paul exclaimed: ...having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved [Son] (Ephesians 1: 5-6). Praise Him today!
Day 3: Courage and Submission
Scripture: And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” – Luke 1: 34
Read: Luke 1: 30-38
Consider:
Fathers and mothers reading this sentence will remember your response upon learning that you were about to have a child. We experienced a flood of emotions. First, we were in denial, then excited, but humbled and a bit fearful. But, can any of us imagine how Mary must have felt? As a young virgin girl, she is approached by a glorious angel who exclaims that she is “highly favored;” and then Gabriel informs her that, without any sexual union with a man, she will bear a Son whom she must name “the Lord is salvation” (i.e. Jesus). What’s more, said Gabriel, this Son will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High (Jesus’s divine nature); and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David (Jesus’s human genealogy); and…His kingdom will have no end (Jesus, Emmanuel, “Eternal God with us”)(Luke 1: 32-33).
Perhaps while Mary’s head was still spinning from this amazing revelation, she returned to her own reality and asked the angel, How can this be, since I am a virgin (v. 34)? After the angelic announcement of her supernatural conception, fear and confusion enveloped Mary as she would try to understand, let alone explain to her peers, what would appear to be a miraculous pregnancy--one without an earthly father of her child! Unwed pregnancies still remain a scourge today. How would you have responded? How do you suppose Mary was able to say, Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word (v. 38). What might God be asking you to do that requires that you trust in His Word? Reread Luke 1: 30-38 and respond as God’s Spirit leads you.
Day 4: Treasuring Family
Scripture: Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah...and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth – Luke 1: 39-40
Read: Luke 1: 39-45
Mary had just received an angelic announcement and prophecy that would forever change her life. What would Mary do now as she wrestled with the emotions of joy, fear, wonder, and confusion? Some of us might have gone into hiding until we could gain composure. But Mary had learned to treasure her family. Now bearing her Savior and King within her womb, Mary needed her family more than ever. So, she immediately traveled south to the hill country of Judea to stay with her relative, Elizabeth. There, she was greeted by Elizabeth, by Elizabeth’s unborn baby John who “leaped in [her] womb for joy,” and by the Spirit of God who assured Mary through a joyous greeting and affirmation from Spirit-filled Elizabeth.
Application:
Mary chose the path of submission to God by the faith He provided to help her face an uncertain future. Wisely, she also chose to not to walk alone, but with the support of her family. Our Scripture passage for today illustrates clearly the benefit of shared faith and mutual encouragement between Mary and Elizabeth. How much do you rely on your biological family and spiritual family, God's church, to strengthen you in your spiritual walk? How will you try to enhance these relationships during this Advent season?
Day 5: Treasuring God’s Word
Scripture: For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. “AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. – Luke 1: 49-50
Read: Luke 1: 39-55
In our Scripture for today, Luke describes for us Elizabeth’s Spirit-filled greeting to Mary upon her arrival (v. 39-45). Immediately, Mary bursts into reverent praise to God, “the Mighty One [who had] done great things for [her].” Mary’s expressions of worship and praise to God, recorded in verses 46-55, compose what we now call “the Magnificat” (i.e. "[My soul] magnifies [the Lord]."). According to Ryrie, the Magnificat contains no less than 15 discernable quotations from the Old Testament! This wonderful, Spirit-filled outpouring of praise by Mary tells us that she had become very familiar with God’s Word, likely not from learning in the Jewish synagogue, but from teaching in her home and in community gatherings. Secondly, Mary was accustomed to prayer and praise in communion with God through His Holy Spirit.
Application:
How have you responded while reading and meditating upon Mary’s “Magnificat?” Is your relationship to God such that you personally know the joy that overflows from within you when you lift praises to God as He speaks to you through His Word and Spirit? Can you identify steps you ought to take to grow in your personal knowledge of God and submission to His will for you? Maybe we can all follow the example of Mary and the psalmist in “treasuring God’s Word” as expressed below:
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You. - Psalm 119: 11
Day 6: Sharing His Treasures
Scripture: And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ...and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”– Luke 2: 22-24
Read: Read Leviticus 5: 7
Consider:
Thank you for investing time already in our five days of devotional meditations. Our original intention was to present only those five, and we published them two days ago. But one of us awakened this morning with a clear conviction from God's Spirit who pointed to the Scriptures now included in this "Day 6." Let us explain why. Mary and Joseph became the earthly parents of Jesus during a cold night in a smelly stable, and they laid the Christ child in a manger. We know that Mary and Joseph possessed little in terms of "earthly treasures." We know this because when they obeyed what God had instructed in the Scripture for today from Leviticus, they chose to purchase two young pigeons which is the offering of those who "cannot afford a lamb."
Application:
Herein lies the reason we were stirred from a warm, comfortable bed this morning: We were confronted with the realization that we need to "ponder" what we are treasuring. To "treasure" means to value greatly, even value it most --above all else! Although Mary was a virtuous woman who treasured and pondered things that truly mattered--i.e. her purity, reverent worship of God, submission to Him and to His Word, and loving her family-- still, she and Joseph had very little in terms of material or earthly treasures. Granted, neither their justification in God's spiritual economy, nor ours, requires that we "give all our possessions to feed the poor, or surrender our bodies to be burned (1 Corinthians 13: 3). But Mary and Joseph demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice everything God required of them and they did so quietly, humbly, and without calling attention to their sacrifices.
And so, we have added this "Day 6" meditation not to lay a guilt trip on you this Christmas. But instead, to confess that Abby and I have some pondering to do about where our true treasures lie in this world. Not that we are confusing "rich" and "poor" simply on an earthly, material scale; but instead, to reconsider whether, by our stewardship of earthly time, earthly treasures, and talents, we are missing opportunities to share and experience the kind of love and compassion that caused God to give His greatest treasure--the One who became poor on every scale of measure so that we might become rich as He defines "richness" (2 Corinthians 8: 9).
We Thank You with a hope that our devotional meditations have been an encouragement to you. We ask that you pray for us as you also prayerfully ponder our 6 meditations. The number "6" in Scripture signifies human incompleteness without God. Truly, our work is not done, and our lives remain incomplete when we mistake or misplace our true treasures.
Care to Respond? If you have questions or wish to leave a “Comment,” either publicly (see link below), or privately (E-mail: silviusj@gmail.com) please do so. If you’d like to catch up on our family experiences in 2025, go to “Christmas Treasures – 2. Our Family Treasures” by clicking HERE.
May God bless and keep you and yours and give you a joyous Christmas and New Year.
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