This morning Pastor Jim Laffoon said something that grabbed my attention. He was discussing the Christmas story again — and AGAIN a point was mentioned that I’ve never considered.

I shared a few posts back how Mary must have felt when she discovered that she truly was pregnant. She knew she was a virgin, but how could she explain something like this to her parents and her fiance? She could have been stoned to death for bringing shame to her family and Joseph’s family.

As Joseph was considering divorcing Mary privately, the angel appeared. See below:

Matthew 1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Ok, so now Mary AND Joseph had heard about this holy miracle. They alone were on this strange, holy journey together.

Now to the nugget that stood out to me today.

Luke 2:8-20
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 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.

Mary and Joseph had carried this holy secret in their hearts for 9 months. Think of the weight of what they had been told. The weight of such a secret. I can only imagine the tormenting thoughts that were sent to them both. How many of you know that when the Lord tells you something that satan is right on your heels to make you doubt and question the promise? The bible doesn’t mention what happened during the 9 months of Mary’s pregnancy, but surely there were doubts placed in their hearts.

Ok, back to what Pastor Laffoon pointed out. Think about what a comfort it must have been to Mary and Joseph when the shepherds came with the report of the angels! Finally, confirmation, witnesses … what they had heard was true! What if you were in Mary or Joseph’s shoes? Can you imagine?

The scriptures say that “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

What a sweet confirmation this must have been to this young couple.

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On a totally different note, I am doing well on my weight loss journey. I am down over 9 pounds since November 16th. I am so grateful! I am also finding that I am guilty of burying stress/anxiety with food. Now that I’m fasting, I don’t have the food to use as a comfort. It has been interesting.

Have a super blessed week everyone!

Christmas is a few days away!!! Happy Birthday precious Jesus!