“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Dear Savior, There is so much going on in my life and in the world right now. There is so much going on in my mind right now. It is hard for me to quiet my mind to carefully think about and ponder the things that you’ve done. As soon as I sit to read your Christmas story, as soon as I close my eyes to meditate on what you have done, another to-do comes to mind. In my life I am rushing from one good activity to the next. These are busy days. These are distracted days. I pray, dear Jesus, send me your Holy Spirit and quiet my mind. Shut off in my heart and my mind the list of to-dos so that I can hear your Words like the shepherds did, as if I were hearing it for the first time. This message that they heard in the fields immediately transformed them. They weren’t the same after that; how could they be!?! Grant me the still heart of Mary who observed the shepherds coming and going, who watched her son, Jesus, grow, and took it all in. Help me to take in the sights and sounds of Christmas from your Word and help me take it with me and to ponder its truths. Transform me by these truths just as you transformed the shepherds. Amen.

Christmas is a busy time for our lives and in our minds. But don’t miss it. Come and see the baby Savior with the shepherds. Still your minds and ponder the miracle of Jesus’ birth with Mary. Come and worship him with the Magi. Take it all in!