FROM THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR "You're going to be busy, but don't forget to ponder!"

The Christmas season can be a busy, even hectic, time for us. Several words or activities come to mind. The world screams 'Shop!' while the Bible whispers 'Ponder.' The familiar Christmas story of Jesus' birth in Luke chapter 2 has an often overlooked verse: v 19 'But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.'  For Mary 'all these things' included a visit from an angel, an unexpected pregnancy, a long journey to Bethlehem, a birth in humble circumstances and a visit from some shepherds. The word 'treasured' tells us these were special things for Mary. It seems that after all the commotion had calmed down and in the quietness of that night, Mary pondered all things in her heart--spent some quiet time alone with thoughts about all that had happened. 

We can get caught up in the noise, the rush and all the activities of Christmas and all these things (even all the 'church things') can become a distraction from the real 'reason for the season.' I will have to ask Mary when I see her in heaven whether or not she was a 'loner' like me. All my life being alone has been times of peace and safety, time to reflect and evaluate things, events and people in my life. Quiet times by myself have always been special for me because they are times when, like Mary, I could ponder (even before I knew what that meant). 'Ponder' is an old word that means 'to weigh' or think about things with the purpose of finding meaning and direction and help in making decisions and establishing priorities--all those things that require quiet times and places. 

We will all participate in the busyness of Christmas, but I pray all of that will not become a distraction for us and we miss the whole point of it all. I pray we all will find a quiet time and place to ponder. There are a lot of great Christmas songs, but verse 13 of 'From Heaven Above to Earth I Come' has been a lifelong favorite for me: "Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child. Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled, a quiet chamber set apart for You to dwell within my heart."

So, my friend, enjoy all the good things about Christmas, but please find time to ponder. You will be blessed.

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor Bob Allmann, LVCCM Spiritual Director