Musings about Mary

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Luke 2:16-19

I think these verses give us a glimpse into why Mary was chosen to give birth to the Messiah.  First off, the arrival of shepherds reeking of sheep in tattered clothing blathering on about the angels in the sky didn’t freak her out.  (Of course their blathering is from personal conjecture.  The Bible says nothing of how they first acted upon entering the stable BUT they were hurrying and probably more excited than they had ever been.  All of Israel had waited 400 years from the last prophet to see the birth of the Christ.  If it were me – I would be blathering quite loudly, except I have never physically been in the presence of baby Jesus which may lower the volume a bit.) Secondly, she was a willing participant in all the goings on during that night.  Obviously, she had to be a part of the birth.  But beyond that; she didn’t hide in the stall with the mules.  She was found with Joseph and Jesus in the stable.  And thirdly, she treasured each moment and pondered them.  She remembered and then thought over and over about the events of that night and probably the angel’s visit to her and Joseph that got them into this predicament as well.  

So let us be like Mary so that God can chose to do amazing things for us as well.  1.  Don’t be easily offended.  (no matter how reeking or tattered)  2.  Actively participate in your own story.  (even when it is shocking or hard to believe)  3.  Remember what God has done and think about it often.  (make a list if you have too)

My guess is that Mary did those things even before she was visited that first time by the angel.  My guess is those three seemingly simple things caught the special attention of the God of Universe.  Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of attention?