Savor the sentiments of the Christmas season
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
-Luke 2:19 (KJV)
As we move into the New Year, the Christmas branches are turning dry and brittle. Festive paper from unwrapped gifts lines the garbage can and some of the twinkling lights have burned out and need replacing.
We may even feel our holiday spirit fading. But wait! As we pack up the remains of Christmas, why not savor the sentiments of the season?
The Bible tells us that during the very first Christmas, Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered over memories surrounding his birth that she treasured. I wonder which facts she considered most of all.
Was it the amazing glory of angel visitations that she cherished? Or was it the natural things that a new mother ponders? Like counting his fingers and toes. Maybe the fact that he functioned like any other newborn, needing to eat, sleep and be changed. And, yet, she knew his birth meant he was God with us.
As we ponder over any treasured activities from this Christmas, what would they be? We may have received just the thing we were asking for under the tree. Or maybe your present was something life changing, like a marriage proposal or a new child of your own. Or a simple sentiment in a card from a special friend.
Perhaps nothing seems memorable. Whatever the case, we can ponder the same sentiment Mary had that Christmas: God is with us.
As we move forward into our new year, may that be one of the thoughts we ponder and treasure. His presence means that whatever we face we are not alone; that we can find inner strength for our sins and habits, and hope when all hope is gone.
My favorite treasure is that we can receive wise insights for trials and triumphs that we face. To me, these are Christmas sentiments worth pondering.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She is available to speak to your church group or business. Contact her for information about her Saturday conference in January, "Writing for fun and profit." Contact her at Annettee Budzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413. Visit www.annetteebudzban.com.