Luke 2:15-19

The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus

My family and I would like to wish you and your family a very

Merry Christmas!!

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The Christmas Story

2:15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,

"Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

The Shepherds visit Mary and Baby Jesus

Many of the Jewish priests and common people were expecting a savior to deliver them from Roman rule; others hoped the Christ (Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments.

 

But Jesus, while healing their illnesses and establishing a spiritual kingdom delivered them from sin.

 

His work is more far-reaching than anyone could imagine.

 

Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.

 

He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes -- he offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.

 

I would like to add a side note to this passage. I am infatuated with the simple statement at the end (verse 19) which says; "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

 

I am not positively sure what this means but my interpretation is that all the things that were happening in Mary's life were just now becoming reality for her.

 

Mary had a child which was to be the king of all mankind though she was almost still a child herself. The happenings of the previous weeks and months may have seemed like a dream to her and now she is waking up to the realism of it all. Can you imagine what may have been going though her mind?

 

What a responsibility for a young woman to bear.

 

Mary has to raise the Messiah and become known as the mother of God. I feel that Mary may have "pondered" some of these things in her heart. Gives me a lump in my throat as if I would love to reach out and comfort her.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Christmas Story Contents

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More from the Christmas Story

Luke 2:8-14 - An Angel Announces the Birth of Jesus to the Shepherds - The Angel comes to the Shepherds