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Daily Devotion: Luke 2:18-19

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Luke 2:18-19   "And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. (19)  But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."

Can you imagine how Mary felt during this time? No doubt she was tired, excited, maybe a little frightened at the thought of raising a child in that environment of hostility of the Roman Empire.  We often hear it said that this is not the best time to bring babies into the world. But stop and think about it. The rulers of the Roman Empire were wicked tyrants. Surely it was a difficult time even for Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus, though He is the Son of God.

The shepherds were blessed to see and know the truth of this baby named Jesus. They had been given the incredible announcement by the angel of the Lord and "the heavenly host praising God" as they declared this baby to be the promised Messiah. "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."  Let us go and see this thing which is come to pass. They went. They found Mary, and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger just as the angel had told them.

What a glorious thing to happen for them!  But let us stop to think on this day after Christmas.  Hopefully, each of  us yesterday had the same experience as we were reminded of the blessing of the birth of our Saviour. By faith, we heard the angelic announcement of the birth of the Son of God.  By faith, we traveled back to Bethlehem. By faith, we also found Joseph, Mary, and the Babe lying in a manger. By faith, we were blessed to be renewed and refreshed by that grand and glorious truth: Our Saviour was born unto a virgin named Mary.

Many people wondered at those things, BUT MARY "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  There is no doubt she would draw from these events as she observed Jesus growing and then as He began His public ministry. At the wedding at Cana of Galilee, we heard her draw from these things when she said, "Do whatever He tells you to do." No doubt she drew from these great truths as she saw people mocking, challenging, accusing, and ultimately driving the nails through His hands and feet. In every situation and each struggle, she would draw from these great truths.

As we were renewed in our faith concerning His birth, let us draw from this great truth each day. The birth of Jesus, His life, and ultimately His death, burial, and resurrection show the deep and wondrous love of our Heavenly Father.  "For God so loved the world that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  Draw from this great truth of God's love each day.

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