“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”  Luke 2:19

This was Mary’s response to the visit from the shepherds. The word things is the plural of rhema. Faith comes by the word or rhema of God (Rom. 10:17). What were these words?

The words or sayings of the shepherds told of the angelic visit to them in the fields. The angel had said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12).

Angelic visits…pretty rare, but always significant. In this case, the angels spoke of the good news that would bring great joy, “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The event of all time!

Mary kept these words. The idea is she treasured them in her heart. In so doing she pondered them, mulling them over, meditating on their richness. A Savior; a declaration of His birth; His city named and His present circumstances given—this was the message that brought the shepherds directly to Mary and the babe.

Mary treasured these words in her heart, and this built her faith even more in who Jesus was and why He had come. This Christmas, may we treasure the words of the Christmas story, that our faith may be deepened as well.

John Van Gelderen

John Van Gelderen

Post Author