(To hear it from Linus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn10FF-FQfs )

Background.  Now we reach revelation of Christmas night.  The second half of the story read by Linus.  There is a stark contrast of ordinary and glorious here.  The angel, then angels and a heavenly choir- imagine what that would sound like.  The glory of the Christ child as well, but in a manger born as a humble poor baby.  And those shepherds, smelling of sheep, but the first called by God to be witnesses.  This is all very deliberate and the fodder of many wonderful sermons.  Don’t let the familiarity of the story stop you from hearing and appreciating its lessons.

Focus Verse Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Mary hears the stories from the shepherds of what they were told by the angels.  How overwhelming it must have been!  We aren’t told she is confident or wise or completely at peace.  We aren’t told that she sees the plan and is comfortable with it.  Mary knows it all is important, and she treasures the words- stores them away- and she thinks about it all- pondering.  This can be a comfort for us as well who don’t totally understand what it all means.  Who feel we are still pondering.  As long as we keep treasuring the words and pondering them in our hearts, we are with God as Mary was.