Christmas! Time to sing the carols, watch the movies and put out the decorations. Many Christians also read the Christmas story from the Bible in some form, usually from Luke.
The biblical Christmas narrative tells an exciting story filled with danger and supernatural guidance, protection, and even angelic declaration.
Mary moves and reacts at the center of the story, a young girl of faith who is given a difficult and epic role — to be the mother of the Son of God. She is given one supernatural message after another, whether through angels or people.
At one point, the Bible tells us Mary “treasured all these things in her heart.”
We’ve heard or read this phrase a hundred times, and we can often look over it as too familiar. But we should explore this further. What does Mary's “treasuring all these things in her heart” say about how we reveal Christ today?
Where in the Bible Does it Say Mary ‘Treasured All These Things in Her Heart’?
“Mary treasured these things in her heart” is found in Luke 2:19.
In the Gospel of Luke, the story begins with the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and announcing that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who will be the Son of the Most High. Mary, though initially perplexed, accepts this divine calling with humility and faith.
Subsequently, she visits her relative Elizabeth, who is also miraculously expecting a child, and they share in a moment of joy and praise for the work of God in their lives.
As the narrative progresses, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem due to a decree from Caesar Augustus, who ordered a census. It is in Bethlehem that Mary gives birth to Jesus in a humble setting — a manger — because there is no room in the inn.
Shortly after Jesus’ birth, angels appear to shepherds in the fields, proclaiming the good news of the Savior’s arrival. The shepherds then visit the holy family and share the angelic message about the significance of the child they have just witnessed.
Amidst these extraordinary events, Luke 2:19 provides a glimpse into Mary's emotional and spiritual response to the unfolding story. The verse states, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
This reflection captures Mary’s deep contemplation and thoughtful consideration of the miraculous events surrounding the birth of her son.
This verse highlights Mary’s contemplative nature, emphasizing her role not only as the mother of Jesus but also as a woman of deep faith and spiritual insight.
She could have easily been overwhelmed by these epic events, but she meditated on the events and their meaning. Her response is a model of faithfulness and contemplation in the face of extraordinary occurrences.
The Gospel of Luke continues to unfold the narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, and ultimate sacrifice for humanity.
Mary's role remains significant throughout, from her initial acceptance of the angelic message to her presence at key moments in Jesus' earthly journey.
What Did it Mean for Mary to Treasure All These Things in Her Heart?
Mary’s act of treasuring and pondering reflects a deep and profound spiritual reflection. The miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception, the angelic announcements, and the visitations from shepherds all pointed to the extraordinary nature of Jesus.
Her response indicates that she recognized the divine significance of these events and sought to understand their deeper spiritual meanings.
Mary, as the mother of Jesus, played a central role in the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation. By treasuring these events, Mary acknowledged the handiwork of God in her life and in the world.
Her contemplation suggests a recognition that these were not mere coincidences but rather divine interventions that held profound implications for humanity.
The events surrounding Jesus’ birth were shrouded in mystery and divine purpose. Mary, in treasuring these things, embraced the mystery of God’s plan for redemption.
She recognized that her role as the mother of the Messiah was part of a grand and intricate narrative that had been unfolding throughout history.
Her response can also be seen as an expression of gratitude. Gratitude for the angelic messages, the visitations of shepherds, and the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
By treasuring these moments, Mary acknowledged the blessings bestowed upon her and expressed gratitude for being chosen as a vessel for God's redemptive plan.
Mary’s act of treasuring and pondering implies a personal and intimate connection with the divine.
It suggests that she did not merely witness these events passively but actively engaged with them on a spiritual and emotional level. Her heart became a repository for the sacred moments that unfolded around the birth of her son.
Treasuring these things in her heart might have also served as a source of strength and guidance for Mary in the future.
As Jesus grew and embarked on his ministry, Mary’s reflections on the miraculous events surrounding his birth likely provided a foundation of faith and resilience for the challenges that lay ahead.
She treasured them all, which speaks of an inclusive nature to each event as part of a whole, both for her individually, for her family, for the nation of Israel, and for the world. She didn’t reject part of the message she didn’t like but received it all.
Further, she didn’t consider these things intellectually, as if she would one day write a theological treatise on the events. Mary acted like these events should impact the state of her heart, and she valued these revelations where they mattered: in her heart.
Jesus and the writers of the New Testament continued to value the importance of the heart.
How Do Jesus and the New Testament Teach Us the Importance of Our Hearts?
Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament consistently emphasize the importance of truth in the hearts of believers.
The concept of truth, both in actions and intentions, is a central theme that permeates Jesus’ ministry and is further elucidated in the writings of the apostles in the New Testament.
Several verses underscore the importance of the heart. David, the model for the Messiah, was a man after God’s own heart, someone like God in his heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Solomon writes in his wisdom literature, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Jesus speaks of the types of people who are blessed at the beginning of the famous Sermon on the Mount, what we call the Beatitudes. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Proverbs also tells us that wisdom is trusting in the Lord with all of our heart, leaning not on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Speaking of our whole heart, Jesus responds to the question, “What is the greatest commandment?” with the following answer: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).
Mary didn’t simply acknowledge her heart but used her heart to focus on the truth of the events around her. We must address our hearts with truth.
In John 8:32, Jesus declares, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Here, truth is not merely a collection of facts but a transformative force that liberates individuals from the bondage of sin and ignorance. The idea of know here is an intimacy, a oneness.
We must let truth deal with our hearts because the heart is the problem. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus links the condition of the heart to the words spoken: “But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts — murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
This underscores the importance of cultivating a truthful and righteous heart to produce words and actions aligned with God's will.
Jesus used parables to deal with the importance of receiving the truth in our hearts. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus likens the good soil to those who hear the word of God and understand it.
This understanding is rooted in truth, emphasizing the necessity of truth in the receptive heart for spiritual growth.
Later in the New Testament, Paul writes the following about God’s love in the first letter to the Corinthians. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
This highlights the inseparable connection between love and truth. Genuine love is grounded in truth, and living truthfully is an expression of authentic love.
Where do we find God’s Truth? In his revealed Word.
How Can Christians Today Reveal Christ to the World?
Revealing Christ to the world through treasuring God’s Word and truth in our hearts is a powerful way for Christians to embody the teachings of Jesus and share the transformative impact of faith. What are some of these principles?
1. Live out biblical principles. Mary didn’t hear and say amen and then leave to do her own thing. Truth isn’t meant to be lived. This includes demonstrating love, compassion, humility, and justice in daily interactions.
By aligning actions with biblical teachings, we become living testimonies of the transformative power of God’s Word.
2. Integrity in character. Mary treasured it all. This is integrity. We can reveal Christ by exemplifying honesty, kindness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of life.
A character shaped by God’s Word becomes a beacon of light in a world often marked by moral ambiguity.
3. A heart for service. Mary submitted to the Word of God through the angel to serve God and others. The teachings of Jesus emphasize service and selflessness.
We can reveal Christ by actively engaging in acts of kindness, generosity, and service to others. This outward expression of love mirrors the selfless love modeled by Jesus and draws people to the transformative message of the Gospel.
4. Sharing the gospel. Mary received the Word in her heart but also in her womb, becoming a vessel for God to work through for salvation for others.
Treasuring God’s Word includes a commitment to sharing the Good News with others. Christians can reveal Christ by effectively communicating the message of salvation and the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus.
5. Being born again. Mary was the first embodiment of the incarnation. God created a new life within her, and Jesus was both human and divine.
As both God and man, Jesus was the first of a new race of people, the born again, the new creation. We can’t reveal Christ without the incarnation, God in our hearts. We must rest in this new, divine nature he shares with us.
6. Responding to adversity with faith. For Mary, following the Word of God meant she would face adversity and difficulty, but she faced it with faith and trust. The same is true for us.
We are promised difficulty by Jesus, but we are also promised we can overcome those difficulties with Christ (John 16:33).
He has overcome the world, and so will we if we continue with him. By facing adversity with faith, resilience, and trust in God’s promises, we reveal Christ’s sustaining presence even in difficult circumstances.
7. Cultivating a joyful spirit. After getting a confirmation of God’s power and word when meeting with Elizabeth, Mary sang a song blessing God for his redemption and salvation.
The joy that comes from treasuring God’s Word is infectious. We can reveal Christ by cultivating a spirit of joy, gratitude, and contentment. This joy becomes a testimony to the transformative impact of God’s Word on the human heart.
By embodying the teachings of Jesus and sharing the transformative power of God’s Word, believers become powerful agents of change and ambassadors of Christ in a world that desperately needs the light of the gospel.
Peace.
For further reading:
How Old Was Joseph When He Married Mary?
Why Did God Choose Mary as the Mother of Jesus?
Who Was Mary the Mother of Jesus?
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