ADVENT WEEK 2  ~ HOPE, PEACE

	Mary Ponders ... "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."  (Luke 2:19NIV) If you are Mary, you have much to think about. Luke uses two verbs to describe her thinking process: "Treasured up" (NIV) or "kept all these things" (KJV) is the Greek verb suntereo, "to store information in one's mind for careful consideration, hold or treasure up (in one's memory). "Pondered" is the Greek verb sumballo (a compound word made from sun, "together" and ballo, "throw"), which means here, "to give careful thought to, consider, ponder," something similar to our colloquial "get it all together." There is a contrast between the exuberance of the shepherds and the soberness of Mary.  Consider what she has to make sense of: (1) her own announcement of the birth by the angel Gabriel, (2) Zechariah's vision in the temple which she heard when she visited Elizabeth, (3) Elizabeth's prophecy, (4) her own prophetic praise, and (5) Zechariah's prophecy when John the Baptist was born, which she may have been present to hear -- a lot for a teenage girl unwed mother to integrate into her own understanding and circumstances.  None of which was acceptable in her strict Judaic law codes, cultural authority norms, family rules, community compliances.  All of which were truths now eternally imprinted in her life, her undeniable experience and call on her life.  We don't hear about it, but her life had evolved into conflict with everything she had been raised in.   She had serious considerations to undertake to manage the undoubtedly crashing, conflicting, turmoil of transformation in her life.  We don't know exactly how Mary dealt with all of this, but one thing is for sure ~ she thought it through. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ...  How's your thought life? Hmmm... do I go on with this, or do I just stop right here, go into the nearest confessional and flog myself?  Admittedly, this is ground of my greatest perpetual sinning.  So, am I a hypocrite if I put forth such a message?  Perhaps.  Albeit not reminding myself and not persevering in overcoming doesn't help me, or anyone else, either.  Do I hide my light because it flickers? I choose to know that all sin, including me, and fall short of the glory of God; need God, and therefore continue in faith-filled pursuit that there is HOPE (ie.Jesus) ~ even for me. Scripture emphasizes the profound importance of one's personal thought life. The way a person thinks determines character and actions (Proverbs 23:7). Faith and belief are ways of thinking. Though faith originates with God, we choose to direct our thoughts either toward God or toward the world. Paul reminds us, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8). Guarding the gates of our minds against invasion by evil or sin-prone thoughts is a continual Christian responsibility. But God has given us His Holy Spirit as a guide and guard for our thoughts, and with His help we can think on things that are edifying and noble and turn from those thoughts that draw us away from having the mind of Christ within us (Rom. 8:6, 12:2). 'GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY'
	MEMORY VERSES ( memorize these with a co-worker, friend, family member or small group today) ROMANS 12:2 ~ "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." PHILIPPIANS 4:8 ~ "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." ISAIAH 26:3 ~ "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee." PRAYER:    Lord, hear my prayers ...

Traditions From Around The World Mexico Mexico celebrate Christmas, Navidad for a full nine days leading up to Christmas or Holy Eve. Costumes are the norm, and either in the public squares, or from house to house, families enjoy the theatre of knocking on the door, being turned away as the “Inn is full”, and then moving the party to either the back yard, or the public square. Music is played throughout the celebrations, great regional dishes are served, and the children are given sticks to strike the Pinata, a paper mache creation, often in the shape of a nativity animal, filled with candy, is made of paper mache and filled with all kinds of goodies. On the ninth night they celebrate the Joseph and Mary were welcomed by God, Angels, and shepherds into the Stable, enjoy a great feast, and when completed, the entire family of all ages moves the celebration to the church to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child.

 

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