All Wondered, but Mary Pondered

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.—Luke 2:18–19

Apparently Mary did something with the news of the shepherds that the others who heard it did not do. Mary probably joined the others in wonder, but she went further. She treasured, pondering.

One way to treasure is to ponder (though not all pondering is treasuring). Mulling over something, seeing its connections and implications is a way to show that something is important to you.

As a boy I poured over my shoebox (or two) full of neatly filed baseball cards, reviewing the stats, and imagining the sounds and smells of the game. I treasured them.

As an engaged man, I read and reread Vicki’s letters and rolled them over in my mind. I treasured them.

Mary not only treasured these things, but treasured them up. She stored them, kept them, rehearsed them, did not let them fade into forgetfulness.

We’ll ponder along with her in the remaining posts this week.