Mary, Did You Know?Sample

Mary pondered God’s merciful deeds

“Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19)

Jesus’ birth was special in so many ways. Although Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, they “happened to be” in Bethlehem when it was time for Mary to give birth, because Caesar Augustus had sent out an order that all people should be registered. That way, an ancient prophecy was fulfilled that Israel’s ruler would come out of Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). Straight after Jesus’ birth, shepherds came to worship Him because they had heard the news from a multitude of angels. Sometime later, when He was presented in the temple, an old man called Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God for this Child. He said Jesus was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). All these events confirmed that Jesus was more than an ordinary baby. He was the promised Savior, the Son of David.

All this was too much for Mary to fully understand at once. But she did not just put it aside. She continued to think about these things.

That’s a good thing to do. Not just for Mary, but also for us. Take some time to ponder God’s merciful deeds today. They are worth thinking about!