“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)
- “Mary kept all these things …” (v. 19)
Well, what things did Mary keep? The message about Jesus relayed to them by the shepherds. Few verses earlier we read:
“They [the shepherds] went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they [the shepherds] saw this [the angel’s message as true and actual], they [the shepherds] made known the message that had been told them about this child [Jesus].” (vv. 16-17)
What message? Again, a few verses earlier we read:
“The angel said to them [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” (vv. 10-12).
The actual biblical word (syntēréō) means to “treasure up” (Luke 2:19). It connotes storing something valuable away to protect. It is like something so valuable it is added to a treasure chest or hope chest. That Mary “kept” … means that she held this tightly, she cherished this, she treasured this.
In other words, Mary is storing up – treasuring, cherishing – the words spoken about Jesus. Mary is storing them interiorly – in her mind and heart locking them away, keeping the safe, protecting them because they are so very valuable and deeply meaningful to her.
- “ …, reflecting on them.” (v. 19)
The actual biblical word (symbállō) means “to throw together” or “to piece together” (Luke 2:19). In Greek culture, this word popularly meant “to wrestle”. [Note: recall the New Testament is written Greek].
Mary is tossing around these things, ruminating upon them, deeply seeking to understand them, turning them over and over and over, trying to piece together the various parts of what is so perplexing in the moment. In other words, Mary is wresting deeply with trying to grasp who her Son really is that is lying in a manger as a little baby.
So, then, what would it be if we took Mary’s actions seriously and applied them to our lives today? Throughout the new year?
