From Advent Conspiracy ... "Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 18"

Daily Advent Devotionals, Day 18

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:19-20

The shepherds left their visit glorifying and rejoicing about what they had just experienced. It was all true, the angel’s song was true!

In the midst of everything going on around her, Mary treasured and pondered all that she had heard in her heart. Imagine her expectation about her son’s life! She was already preparing to meet Him and see everything that Jesus would do.

My wife often jokes about me saying that the words I use the most in our marriage are “Did you see the…?” or “Where is the…?” I forget and misplace things all over my home. I am always asking what to do next, because I don’t know where the things I need are. But there is something more that my heart needs, and it has to be my main treasure, I can’t forget where its place is.

Today, with so many screens flashing in front of us, fighting for our attention, and so much information available, it becomes more difficult to focus on what’s important to keep in your heart. Too many things have a little bit of our attention for a short period of time. We must keep the Gospel above them.

If the Gospel is out of place in the room of our heart, the whole life becomes a mess. Do not let the Gospel be in your heart like a forgotten garment in the corner of the room or under some other object. Make Jesus the foundation, the walls, and the decoration of your heart.

Reflect

Whatever you do today, let it emerge from the joy that comes from meditation and celebration of the good news. It should be the most visible thing in our lives. Take time today to treasure this in your heart and ponder what God has done in your life already.

Pray

Lord,

Help me to treasure the Gospel as my main thought, through all my days. May Christ rule over all my feelings, and give me courage and wisdom to be your witness.

Amen.

---

Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything — including the way we celebrate Christmas.

Be part of a different story this Christmas, one that celebrates our King and brings hope to a watching world ...

• Worship Fully
• Spend Less
• Give More
• Love All

... and join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be—a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us.