A Scripture reference that I read.
Luke 2:17–20 (NKJV): 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them
There is so much wrapped up in these few verses. On Sunday, while rereading them, a few words leaped off the pages just before our Candles and Communion services.
When they saw Him, it must have confirmed everything they had been told. After they had seen Him, they made known widely the saying which was told them. This still rings true today, you can hear a lot about Jesus, but something changes when you personally “meet” or “see” Him. Look through scripture and history, and you will see this common theme of people exclaiming the moment that they met Jesus. Often, Jesus would even direct people not to say something, yet, immediately they would “noise it abroad” the happenings of their moment with Jesus. Do you still remember your moment? Do you still tell others about it?
Those who heard it marveled. The definition of marvel is to be filled with wonder or astonishment. The stories of Jesus should cause an emotion that is filled with awe. I believe that every encounter with Jesus is a marvelous experience. Equally true is that when we convey the meetings we’ve had with Jesus to others, do they marvel? Far too often, we express the happenings of what we don’t like about the church experience instead of the encounter with Jesus. You can tell the difference simply but seeing if the hearer gets mad or marvels about what they heard. May we be filled with astonishment and spread that wonder and amazement to others. That creates hunger, and Jesus said, blessed are those who do hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled.
When the Shepherds returned, they glorified and praised God. May the encounters we have with Christ last longer than the church’s sanctuary. May our praise and worship continue long after the encounter. May it be said of us that when we returned home, we were still praising and glorifying God for the great things He has done.
A Song I am Listening too.
Chris Mcghee brought the house down with His rendition of “Mary did you Know” at Ushine. The song turns thirty years old this year. There is a lot of spiritual truth wrapped up in it. The scripture tells us, Mary kept these things and pondered them. The great experience and the wonder of the shepherds would come at the crushing of Mary’s heart. Mary was later told that the great day for others would pierce her heart with a sword. Even though Mary may have known, nothing could have prepared her for the experience that she would have. The birth was and is the only miracle of its kind. The Cross and the eternal ramifications of it, how could you prepare for that?
All of the things that Mary pondered and wondered about, we know. Because we know we should bring glory to the King.
A Quote that we should repeat!
Merry Christmas! We bring you glad tidings of Great Joy for Jesus Christ was born!
Joy to the World!
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