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Bible in a Year :
Haggai 1–2 , Revelation 17
Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
After all the joy of Christmas Day, the following day felt like a let-down. We’d stayed overnight with friends but hadn’t slept well. Then our car broke down as we were driving home. Then it started to snow. We had abandoned the car and taxied home in the snow and sleet feeling blah.
We’re not the only ones who’ve felt low after Christmas Day. Whether it’s from excessive eating, the way carols suddenly disappear from the radio, or the fact that the gifts we bought last week are now on sale half price, the magic of Christmas Day can quickly dissipate!
The Bible never tells us about when Jesus was born but it does tell us how Jesus was born. But we can imagine that after walking to Bethlehem, scrambling for accommodation, Mary’s pain in giving birth, and having shepherds drop by unannounced (Luke 2:4–18), Mary and Joseph were exhausted. Yet as Mary cradled her new-born, I can imagine her reflecting on her angelic visitation (1:30–33), Elizabeth’s blessing (vv. 42–45) and her own realisation of her baby’s destiny (vv. 46–55). Mary “pondered” such things in her heart (2:19), which must have lightened the tiredness and physical pain of that day.
We’ll all have ‘bad’ days, perhaps even the day after Christmas. Like Mary, let’s face them by thinking about the Holy One who came into our world, forever brightening it with His presence.
Reflect & Pray
When are you prone to feeling low after a high? How can you ponder today all that Jesus has brought into the world?
Dear Jesus, I praise You for entering our dark world, forever brightening my days with Your presence.
