“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had seen and heard. It turned out to exactly the way they’d been told!” (Luke 2:19-20 MSG)
It turns out that there are two right responses to the nativity scene: quiet treasuring and loud telling. We read this text and realize that there are tellers and keepers but both of these postures are appropriate worship. Mary keeps it to herself, her mother-heart swollen with joy and wonder, too precious to speak aloud. The shepherds shout it from the rooftops because their praise is too important to keep to themselves.
We all have strong tendencies to be a teller or a keeper. I tend to be a teller, most of my life is an open book. My husband trends toward the keeper side of things, most of his pages are too precious to share publicly. Both telling and treasuring are right responses to the wonder we experience with Christ and different seasons may produce different heart postures. We may be ready to shout at one interval and eager to ponder at the next. Both are joy-filled responses and that is the crucial part: that we respond to the Messiah in the manger with joy. Every time we encounter Him there.
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are brief this year. You may find yourself pressed to finish the tasks between now and the end of the decade. Let me encourage you, don’t rush past the manger. Let each nativity scene elicit a joy-response in your heart and soul. Speak up or settle in, but allow joy to do it’s full work as you consider the Christ child.
“”This is what you are to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women who please Him.”” (Luke 2:12-14 MSG)
Lord, let us not rush past nativity scenes this season. Instead, may we pause and allow our hearts to inflate with joy. We may be treasures or we may be tellers but You receive the glory either way. May our countenance be changed this Christmas as we consider the Christ child. Amen.