Advent - Day 18

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Luke 2:16-21

We are anticipating the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is advent. And this year we are following Luke’s gospel as he passes on to us the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life.

I wondered where to go with today’s blog. Is it that the most natural response to seeing the reality of Jesus is to spread the word? Is it to treasure and ponder His goodness? Is it to glorify & praise God for what we have heard and seen? It is of course all these things.

In fact, when you think about it. There really is something captured here. Think in terms of dimensions or relations. You have what is sometimes called the vertical relationship. Between us and God. They praise and glorify God.

Then there’s the horizontal. That’s between us and others. They spread the word, telling others about the good news of Jesus' birth.

But then there’s another dimension. It’s the internal. Just as Mary can treasure up the wonder of raising the Son of God. We, not the same, but similarly can treasure up as we reflect that Jesus has graced us with His presence. He came to die for us and save us to a glorious hope.

It’s a reminder that the Jesus-filled Christmas is not one-dimensional. It’s beautifully complex and rich.

For Today:

• How could you spread the good news of Jesus?
• How could you glorify Him today?
• What can you treasure in your heart because of Jesus?

Pray:

• Praise the Father that we see His glory in Jesus.
• Give thanks for Jesus who is our greatest treasure.
• Ask God to help you and others spread the word of Jesus today.