Magi came and gave the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. No doubt they considered these valuable treasures. But the Bible tells us these were not the things Mary treasured. We read in Luke 2:19 “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.”(HCSB)
What were her treasures? What was she focused on? To name a few:
..Gabriel spoke to Mary and told her she would have a child as a virgin and would name him Jesus.
..Elizabeth recognized Jesus as the Messiah before he was born and called Mary blessed.
..Joseph married her even though she was pregnant because an angel spoke to him.
..A census was ordered that took her to Bethlehem.
..She gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a lowly feeding trough.
..A bright star led the way to Jesus.
..The angels announced the birth of her son to shepherds who came and worshiped the child.
..Simeon and Anna recognized the baby as the Messiah.
..Wise men came from far away bearing precious gifts.
..Herod sought to kill the child by having all the children under age two murdered but Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt leaving behind many parents who would mourn the death of their children.
..An angel announced to Joseph and Mary the death of Herod.
..They were warned in a dream not to go back to Judea and went to Nazareth instead.
And that was just the first few years of life.
We read in Luke 2:51b “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” (HCSB) This was when Jesus was twelve years old after he astounded the teachers in Jerusalem with his understanding and answers as he sat with them.
With all the “treasures” she stored up during his early life, likely she added to the list his teachings, miracles, forty day fast in the wilderness, dining with sinners…just to name a few. And then there was the crucifixion and resurrection!
Truly Mary was blessed to have so many treasures. Memories that were wonderful, exciting, unexplainable, terrifying, and horrific – all wrapped up in the Son of God – her son.
Wow! I know this Christmas season I must take the time to meditate on the treasures God has given me. Things like the Bible. And love, hope, peace, joy, and eternal life – all wrapped up and presented to me by the same Son of God – when I met him at the cross.