As we approach Christmas, it seems appropriate to look at a Christmas passage. This week, I want to reflect on the passage concerning the shepherds in Luke 2. The shepherds had been obedient to the call of the angels to go and see the baby Jesus, and we read: “ 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. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Do you see the difference between Mary and the shepherds? The shepherds were bouncing around telling everyone and praising God, Mary was quietly reflecting these things in her heart. The shepherds were amazed and everyone knew, Mary was amazed and reflected on them before God in her heart. Both had encountered Jesus, both were seeing a true and faithful God fulfil his word and make phenomenal promises for the future days, both were powerfully impacted, both were worshipping God in their way. Mary was quietly satisfied in her God and full of wonder, the shepherds were bursting. Who is the better Mary or the shepherds?

May we each have a full realisation of the promises and presence of God in our daily lives, whether we express it calmly or lustily,

With love and blessing,

Roland