December 26, 2014
Luke 2:17-20
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. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
CONSIDER THIS
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
It’s December 26, the second day of Christmas. The frenzied stillness of another Christmas Day is behind us now, but the twelve day celebration of Christmas is just beginning.
Life will begin to pick up its pace in no time. What if instead of rushing to take down the tree and pack everything back up for storage we took a strategic pause. What if we tried the ancient way of Mary; of treasuring up all these things and pondering them in our heart?” What would that look like?
It reminds me of a practice I learned several years ago from my friend, Rob Holifield. Rob shared with me a nightly practice he shared with his two sons. Just before bed, he would get out a notebook and consciously walk back through the day’s life and activity. He would write down four or five things from that day that came to mind. It wasn’t an extensive exercise in journaling feelings and reflections as much as it was just the simple act of writing down five things he remembered from the day. Though I have never managed to follow his example with good consistency, I’ve never forgotten it. It impressed me. And every time I do it, it makes a difference. It’s a simple way to “treasure up” both the magical and mundane moments of our lives and to “ponder them in our hearts.”
I’m going to give it a go as a quiet way of celebrating the twelve days of Christmas this year. I’m going to try and think back through the year, month by month, as well as the day. Let’s do this.
On the second day of Christmas. . . . .
J.D. Walt writes daily for Seedbed’s Daily Text. He serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. Follow him @jdwalt on Twitter or email him at jd.walt@seedbed.com.
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One Response
Hi! I know this is kind oof off-topic butt I needed to ask.
Does running a well-established blo such as youjrs require a
massiove amount work? I’m rand nnew to operating a blog however I do write inn my diary evsry day.
I’d like to stadt a blog so I will be able to share my personal experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know iif yoou have any kind of ideass or tips for new aepiring
blog owners. Appreciate it!