No matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this season, let the Messiah–not the mayhem–reign in your quiet Christ-focused heart.

Read: Luke 2:19—20 

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Reflect: It would be difficult to imagine what the past nine months were like for Mary. Being engaged, conceiving a child by the Holy Spirit, traveling a long distance, and experiencing the Savior’s birth. Talk about a mind-numbing roller coaster of emotions. No matter how wild your life is, the words in verse 19 are ones to etch on your soul: “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Mary gave careful thought to all that had happened and what was told to her about this baby named Jesus. Approach this Christmas season–and your daily life–in this same manner. The words Christ speaks to you should be treasures in your heart and ponderings in your minds.

Respond: Lord God, I want to treasure up all the things You speak through Your Word and meditate on them. I want to glorify and praise Your name just like the shepherds, because what You say, You will do.

Tot Time: Chat about what a treasure is and ask the little ones to name a few treasures they have at home. Why are those items special? Talk further about how the Bible is a special treasure and we are to keep it hidden in our heart so we do not sin against God (Psalm 119:11).

We’re now headed into the parallel story of Jesus’ birth in the book of Matthew, since we’ve concluded Luke’s account.