Daughter of The Potter

Cherishing the Moment: Learning the Importance of Treasuring and Pondering

Cradled in her arms, the mother looks down at her newborn baby. Wrapped in cloth, so innocent, so pure, so blameless. This precious baby with a destiny to save the world. This baby, named Jesus. Gently stroking his hair, eyes fixed on small features: two perfect eyes closed in sleep, one tiny nose, little lips pursed, round, rosy cheeks. Mary hears the shepherds recount their story: An angel appearing before them, the announcement of the awaited King, the Savior, more angels – a whole host of them – singing and praising God, “Glory to God and Peace on Earth”, a star brighter than the moon leading them to the Messiah, a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth like the perfect sacrificial lamb (because He is). Their excited tones fill the stable, their words tumbling out. Kneeling, they look at the baby, expectant and awe-filled, hearts filled with anticipation. 

As the shepherds recount the events of the angels, the climax of the story becomes apparent. The shepherds represented the poor, the powerless, the marginalized. They are humble people who go about their tasks faithfully, providing and caring for their sheep. The perfect allusion to the true Shepherd. This fact, that the angel appeared to the shepherds, demonstrates a significant detail in the story, that Jesus came to save everyone. He did not come for the powerful and religious elites. His salvation is not exclusive; it’s available for everyone. As the shepherds recount the events of the angels, Mary becomes aware of all her son will endure. The weight of it all settles upon her, yet she is in this moment, this precious moment, holding her son close to her chest; the safest He will ever be on this earth, is right now, in this moment, in her arms. 

In the midst of the extraordinary, Mary calmly reflects, taking in everything that has just happened: the birth of her baby (which in itself is an emotional event), the announcement, the faithfulness of God, the visit from the Magi, and the shepherds. So many different thoughts, feelings, and emotions occurring in Mary’s mind, in her heart. To be in the place of this young girl who humbly accepted her position as the Virgin Mother, who carried this baby for nine months and gave birth to Him, who held this tiny Savior, knowing His purpose, knowing the events He would go through: His death, His resurrection, and His ascension back to Heaven. This mother, who, in raising her son, would be raising the One who can save the world. As others come to visit her newborn baby in anticipation, Mary is merely a mother holding her baby, knowing all that she won’t be able to protect Him from and all that He will give the world. 

Until recently, when reading the Christmas Story, I never gave this verse much thought, but in the last couple of years, it’s given me pause. Surrounded by all that has happened, Mary is contemplative and reflective. She is present in this brief period of time. She doesn’t let herself get carried away; rather, she is invested in cherishing this occasion. In the business of the Holiday season, how often do we rush through the moments that we should be cherishing? Or how often are we disconnected from the events happening around us, and simply don’t engage? How often do we avoid our feelings and emotions? How often do we simply let a moment slip past us, forgetting to treasure, to ponder? 

To truly treasure and ponder as Mary did is to preserve and contemplate. It is an active decision to remember, to hold fast to precious moments that will become precious memories. Mary kept these events securely stored in her heart, in the place central to her being. The heart is essential to our physical and spiritual life. The heart is the place where all our action flow from, a place that we can draw strength and peace from. Mary sets an important example for us during this Holiday season and every season. 

In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to allow moments to rush by us. We look to the next event in our schedule, the next thing to cross off the list, simply neglecting to pay attention to the significance of the moment we are in. Mary teaches us the importance of pausing, of valuing the moment, of appreciating the paths traveled and where the journey has led. This Holiday season, I want to encourage you to be truly present, to be intentional, to connect. Take the time to treasure and ponder. 

Merry Christmas