To Treasure and Ponder // Luke 2:6-7
Luke 2:6-7 (NIV) | While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
We are just days away from the official celebration of Jesus’ birth! Today’s passage points to the humble beginning of Jesus’ earthly life. Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, which was a humble town. Mary wrapped him in strips of cloth…no cute receiving blankets or onesies to swaddle the Prince of Peace. Jesus was laid in a manger, which is another word for a feeding trough. There, the King of kings cried and cooed, surrounded by the smells and sounds of the livestock in the barn. Is this any way to welcome the Son of God?
We are likely inclined to think not, but this was God’s choice. Jesus is God’s gift to us! He didn’t come like royalty with great fanfare, but the skies split open, and the angels announced His birth. He didn’t even seem to have a suitable blanket, but the Wonderful Counselor was cradled in hay. Soon mysterious travelers would bring Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh pointing to Jesus’ role on earth, but also to fund their travels when they had to flee as refugees to Egypt. These humble beginnings could have made any mother fretful, but Mary — cared for by Joseph — treasured them all and pondered their meaning in her heart (Luke 1:19). The greatest treasure was in her arms, brought forth from her womb. And that’s where this incredible story makes a major shift.
Whereas some might be inclined to feel these humble conditions are beneath a holy God, our Lord was far more concerned about an altogether different condition — that of our hearts ruined by sin. Jesus came humbly so no one could feel too low or too lost to turn to God. Our Heavenly Father treasures you and me, which is why we have this chance to know Him and His love. This very idea extends all the way back to the Exodus journey when God told Moses to share this message with the people: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5, NIV).
God came in Christ to fix the calamity caused by our disobedience. He came to show us what it means to be loved and learn to love. He came to claim us as His own treasured possessions. I think that is precisely what moved Mary to treasure all that happened, because she knew she held heaven’s prized possession in her arms, before He could stretch them out on the cross to claim us as His treasured possession for all eternity! Isn’t that something to ponder?!