“Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them.” Luke‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭GNB‬‬

Yesterday was the Advent Sunday of Peace, and that always makes me think of my favourite line in the birth narrative of Jesus – that bit about Mary remembering all these things and thinking deeply about them.

Other translations tell us she “pondered them in her heart,” or “thought about them often,” or “wondered what they meant.”

I have this image of Mary cradling her little baby and thinking about all the details of his birth. It’s a peaceful image, but it’s also a mysterious image. I wonder what she thought. I wonder how much she figured out. I wonder what she knew.

I remember reading a quote from Harry Potter author JK Rowling, around the time that the 3rd or 4th novel in the series was released. Rowling said that she didn’t like talking publicly about her faith, because if people knew she believed in Jesus, they would know what was going to happen to Harry before the end of the books.

And I knew. I knew what Harry was going to have to do to defeat Voldemort. I wonder if it was like that for Mary. If she just knew. Or if she felt she knew, but hoped she was wrong.

I suspect that being Jesus’ Mom wasn’t all that peaceful an existence – that there was a lot of worry and concern that this woman carried with her throughout her days. And at the same time, I know her faith was strong, and that faith comes with a peace that passes understanding.

This Advent, may you know that kind of peace – even as you ponder things that may make you worried or concerned. May your faith be strong. May you treasure up the details of Jesus’ birth and may you think of them often.