They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph.
And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened
and what the angel had said to them about this child.
All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,
but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

Luke 2:16-19 NLT

This passage contains my favorite line in the story of Jesus birth. I know it by heart in a different version: “But Mary treasured these things in her heart and thought deeply about them.” It’s such a quiet line. So easily missed. I wonder how much of the story of Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection Mary had figured out. Or did she only have suspicions?

Whatever the case, it’s a great thing to stop and think deeply about Jesus and what his birth means to us. It is such a noisy time of year. I have just lead the first of 3 services that I will take part in tonite. Tomorrow, Christmas Day, is Sunday and so I will lead a service in the morning, too. It is so important to me at this time of year, in the midst of all the noise and bustle, to stop and think deeply about Jesus.

So with that I leave you, to spend some time doing exactly what I have just described. May your Christmas be filled with joy and love. May you be surrounded by those who care most about you. May you be touched by the birth of the tiny baby. And may you find some quiet time to think deeply about these things.

Merry Christmas!