Christmas Treasures – 1. Mary’s Treasures

But Mary treasured up all these things,
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 five 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.

Day 2:  Reverence for God
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 at work in her life, she became “highly favored.” 
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?  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).

Application:
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 her pregnancy without an earthly father of the 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

Consider:  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 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 church family to strengthen you in your spiritual walk?  How will you 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

Consider:  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

We Thank You and hope that our devotional meditations have been an encouragement to you.  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.