12/26/2025
"But Mary kept all these things and
pondered them in her heart."
Luke 2:19
It's the day after Christmas, but the account of Mary and Joseph never grows dull. The wonder of the birth of the Christ child as foretold throughout scripture, reminds us of the lengths God went to and still goes to make us His own. I was just watching another Christmas classic, The Christmas Candle based on a book by Max Lucado. I have most of his books, and I have this movie, as it's one of my favorite stories. It's about a pastor who once called a miracle man because of his firm stand on the miracle-working power of God, who lost his faith after he suffered a tragedy. When the story begins he is in London, in the streets feeding a line of people down on their luck. He no longer preaches, but after a visit from a special lady who prevails upon him, he accepts a job in her town. It is well-written and presented in movie form. The actors are very convincing, and it is the acting debut of Susan Boyle, the wonderful and talented singer from America's Got Talent. I love it, because as the song goes "There are miracles all around, miracles left to be found."
The Miracle Hymn
I've been listening to a concert by The Belonging Co Christmas at the Ryman with a variety of Christian artists singing older, familiar Christmas hymns with contemporary blends and beautiful new songs. A lady is singing now a medley of Worthy of It All with another song about the birth of Christ which sounds as if Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is singing personally, reminiscent of her song when she visited Elizabeth.
The Song of Mary
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:46-55
When the shepherds came running to Bethlehem after the angels appeared to them, sharing the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus, Mary listened and marveled at their words, keeping them in her heart. As she looked at Jesus for the first time, how she must have marveled at this new creation, the Son of God, so tiny and in need of her care. The King of glory lying in a manger as a newborn infant, crying and hungry, helpless, and in need of a bath, and He needed "her!" Imagine Joseph's first thoughts when he delivered Jesus. They were alone, no room for them in a proper room in the inn, yet they were surrounded by unseen heavenly visitors marveling at the sight before them, all of heaven rejoicing. The brilliance of the moment must have exploded in the skies! I imagine that the Bethlehem star must have been brilliant that night. How could anyone miss the signs, and yet, they did, and they still do.
When He returns in His glory, will He find room for Him in the inn of our hearts? Is there room in your inn?
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