Luke 2:19 - Silenced Night

After coming to the stable to meet see the baby Jesus for themselves, the shepherds returned to their flocks but on the way they

"17 ...spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 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."
(Luke 2:17–20, New International Version, 1984)

The shepherds had seen a night sky turn radiant around them. They heard an amazing birth announcement of a Savior, Christ the Lord, lying in a manger.

A host of angels offered a chorus of praise to God.

The shepherds themselves couldn't be silent, either, but told everyone they met about what had happened. They were still talking amongst themselves and praising God on their way back to work among their flocks.

Sandwiched in between the description of the shepherds reaction, we read of Mary's response...

Silence.

Her quiet pondering was what made it a Silent Night.

When Christmas lights have dimmed,
When all the celebrations have ended,
When people have returned to their own jobs, their own homes,
When carols of praise are no longer sung,
What do you keep in your heart?
On what do you ponder?

Father, Sometimes the mad rush to celebrate a holiday leaves us empty. We've gotten used to all the excitement and activity: some of it good, some of it useless. Now in the silence, in the stillness, when we are left alone, turn our thoughts to the One who came, who is still Emmanuel: God with us. In His name we pray, Amen.

Illustration: Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo da Vinci, 1481-82. Photographed at Uffizi Gallery, 2021. The magi actually arrived two years after the shepherds did that first night, but da Vinci captured the 'contemplative' nature of Mary's personality.