Treasure the Moments

Key Scripture

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:19 (NIV)

Devotion

From the beginning of Luke chapter 1 through chapter 2, verse 19, we read about the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the conception and birth of Jesus.

Mary is first visited by an angel (Luke 1:28-38) and told that she will give birth to the Son of God. During this same encounter, she learns that her cousin Elizabeth, who was believed to be barren, is also expecting a child. Then, after Jesus is born in a stable, shepherds arrive and share the incredible story of their own encounter with an angel and the heavenly host.

Every one of these events, on its own, is miraculous. A virgin conceiving and giving birth. A barren woman conceiving and giving birth. Angels appearing, delivering messages, and announcing what was about to take place.

And then we come to our key verse, where we find sweet Mary doing something that I think we can all learn from:

She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

The phrase treasured up carries the meaning of carefully keeping and preserving something of great value. Mary didn't simply take it all in and move on. She held on to these moments. She didn't have to understand everything immediately. She simply recognized that what God was doing was worth remembering.

And to ponder something means to reflect on it deeply, to consider its significance, and to give it thoughtful attention.

I wonder how often we miss opportunities to do the same?

We are so busy moving from one thing to the next, preparing for what's coming, tending to the responsibilities of everyday life, and sometimes even praying for the next miracle, that we forget to stop and recognize the miracles God has already placed in our lives.

This season, let's be intentional about treasuring our moments and pondering them in our hearts. Remember the things you've been taught, the lessons you've learned, the prayers God has answered, and the ways He has taken difficult circumstances and worked them together for your good.

Remember the promises He has spoken over you, the dreams He has placed in your heart, and the moments when His presence was unmistakable.

Mary may have had more questions than answers. I'm sure she didn't know exactly how to raise the Son of God, all the miraculous things He would do that she would witness, or exactly how His earthly story would unfold. She couldn't possibly have understood everything that was ahead of her.

But she trusted the God who had brought her this far to continue leading, guiding, and directing her steps.

And we can do the same.

You may not receive a visitation from an angel or hear a heavenly host serenading you on a hillside, but God is still working in miraculous ways in our lives.

Sometimes we just need to slow down enough to recognize it.

So, Sisters, in the middle of all the activity this Christmas season, let's make room for reflection. Listen for His still, small voice. Remember His words. Meditate on His promises. And don't be so focused on what God is going to do tomorrow that you fail to treasure what He is doing today.

Some moments are too precious to simply pass through. Take time to treasure them.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of Your Son and for the miraculous story of His birth. Thank You for the ways You continue to reveal Yourself to us, often in ways we don't fully understand at the time.

Lord, forgive us for the moments when we become so caught up in the busyness of life that we fail to recognize Your goodness. Teach us to slow down, to be still, and to treasure the moments when You are moving in our lives.

Help us remember the prayers You've answered, the promises You've fulfilled, the lessons You've taught us, and the ways You've carried us through circumstances we never thought we would overcome.

When we have more questions than answers, give us the faith of Mary. Help us trust You even when we cannot see the whole picture. Give us hearts that are attentive to Your voice and willing to follow wherever You lead.

May we never become so distracted by what is happening around us that we overlook what You are doing within us.

And above all, Lord, as we celebrate this Christmas season, let us never lose sight of the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ, our Savior.

In His precious name we pray,

Amen.

Personal Growth

Psalm 77:11-12; Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 4:20-22; Philippians 4:8;

Psalm 46:10; Lamentations 3:21-23; James 1:5; Luke 2:51