She Pondered

Ponder:  verb (used without subject)
to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon ).

The forth Sunday in Advent brings us to the announcement of the birth of Jesus.  The angel Gabriel  was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to be married.  Her name was Mary.  The angel greeted her and addressed her as the "favored one."  She was the one who was chosen to conceive and give birth to the Son of God.  She was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this must be.

I wonder how long it took Mary to ponder this news.  I am sure after the angel left her alone to her thoughts, she had to have deeply meditated on what all this would mean in her life.  How would things change for her?  She was so young and what would this turn of events mean for her?   Who would believe such a thing could happen?  Surely, she would suffer.  She would be put under deep and horrible scrutiny that could even mean punishment and stoning for her.  Then again, she could be hardly aware of the suffering she would endure throughout her life and culminating in the crucifixion of her son.  But she said "yes"  I will do it, because I am the handmaiden of the Lord."

What are you pondering this last week of Advent?  Is your heart yearning to get closer to God?  Have you wandered away from a church and want to return?  Is there someone with whom you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from?  Are you waiting to hear about a job prospect?  Do you need to make changes in the way you handle your money?

As we ponder together this Advent season, let us prepare to go forward in faith and trust.  Mary chose to act accordingly based on what she knew what God had done, and that He would be faithful to His word.
In a similar way, our actions will give us the strength to say "yes" to wherever God may be leading us today.  Let us all make this final Advent week, the time that we prepare our heart like a manger, a resting place for the Christ Child.