Don't Miss the Verbs of Mary

In The Story of Luke 2:1-20, the insistence of a pagan king inconveniences a young couple. A crowded city pulses with surges of humanity. Ordinary shepherds have front-row seats to a heavenly concert. The significance of the Text grips our hearts with nouns, pronouns, scenes, settings, characters, conflict, crisis, and choir.

But have you ever paused to consider the verbs?

Join me for a closer look at the action, which practically explodes off the Pages.

Caesar Augustus decreed

Joseph obeyed

Joseph and Mary traveled

Mary birthed

Angel appeared

Shepherds feared

Angel proclaimed

Heavenly Host praised

Angels left

Shepherds conferred

Shepherds hurried

Shepherds spread

All were amazed

Mary treasured

Mary pondered

Shepherds returned

Wow!

The 16 Verbs of Christmas

Decreed, obeyed, traveled, birthed

Appeared, feared, proclaimed, praised

Left, conferred, hurried, spread

Amazed, treasured, pondered, returned

Ironically, the same ancient verbs express activity in our 21st-century lives. We, too, travel, fear, praise, and hurry. But in the seasonal chaos, do we stop long enough to experience the Verbs of Mary?

The Verbs of Mary: treasured, pondered

Oh, Verbs of Christmas, move over and make room for us to treasure and ponder!

Treasure—Who He is

Ponder—What He has done for us

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). This Christmas, Don’t Forget the Verbs of Mary.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

"He has put eternity in the heart of man" (Ecclesiastes 3:11b).

Did we miss a verb that should be added to the list found in Luke 2:1-20?

With which Verb of Christmas do you most identify?

How will you shove aside The Verbs of Christmas to make room for The Verbs of Mary?

Suggestion: Invite a friend to go for hot chocolate and, while together, discuss the meaning of the words treasure and ponder. Share how God is shedding light on the significance of these verbs in your own life this season.

How To Sing at Day's End

The question came to me in the soft light of morning. Inspired by the lyrics of Matt Redman — Let me be singing when the evening comes—I pondered, “What will it take for me to be singing when this day ends?” My conclusions are here for you to consider:

Monitor my thoughts

Monitor my words

Monitor my spirit

Do I always get it right? No. Full disclosure: my thoughts about the person in front of me at the post office lacked compassion, my words expressed at the boutique carried an edge, and my spirit lacked self-control toward the driver in my rearview mirror. On the other hand, when kind sentences affirmed the busy manager at the tire store, I sensed the Holy Spirit creating that song within.

A quiet sense of alertness in these three arenas—making course corrections where needed—offers a pathway for peace, satisfaction, and even singing at day’s end.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

My Thoughts: God’s Scripture says,

“When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.”

Psalm 94:19 HCSB

My Words: God’s Scripture says,

A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man's hands will reward him.”

Proverbs 12:14 HCSB

“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!”

Proverbs 15:23 NIV

My spirit: God’s Scripture says,

“Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.”

Proverbs 16:32

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 NKJV

What challenges rob you from singing at day’s end?

Share your insights on the spiritual disciplines involved in monitoring your thoughts, your words, and your spirit.

How do you intend to be singing when the evening comes?

“Let me be singing when the evening comes.”

Our Collection of Rituals for Saying Goodbye

Do they know?

Larry and I stood fixed in our spot on the sidewalk to wave goodbye until the red car lights rounded the corner and vanished out of sight. Clad in my fleece robe, clutching a warm mug of coffee, I asked myself, “Do they know?”

Do they know that part of my heart is packed away in their multiple pieces of luggage?

Do they know how empty the rooms feel now that the glorious chaos is gone?

Do they know how much we will miss them between now and the time we are together again?

And,

Do they know how very much we love them?

Do they know?

For many of us, the upcoming weeks—our holiday season—promise to surge with energy and explode with activity. There will be extra loads of laundry, more dirty dishes, extended late-night conversations, multiple trips to the grocery, and there will inevitably be the unavoidable goodbyes. Ouch.

Living geographically separated from family for decades has given us the opportunity to create a Collection of Rituals that cushion the leave-taking. Five are listed below.

1. Twenty-four hours before a parting, we acknowledge that we are on a conveyor belt, physically and emotionally, and we intentionally streamline life. The focus of the household becomes packing and parting.

2. On the morning of departure, regardless of the hour, we are up with our loved ones to offer practical help in getting out the door. (Even if it is 2:30 am.)

3. When the clock refuses to grant any more grace minutes, everybody circles for one last hug. And—here is a huge component—we pause to declare a blessing over those leaving. Our favorites remain Numbers 6:24-26 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

4. Then, as little bodies get buckled into car seats, we state: “See you in a minute.” As absurd as this may sound, somehow it adds a balm, even if we don’t yet know when our next visit will occur.

5. Finally, when the vehicle backs out of the garage, Larry and I scurry to take up our positions on the front sidewalk to wave goodbye as they pull out of sight. We want their last glance to be our smiling faces and warm waves.

Whew. Washed over with fatigue, he and I walk back inside, grab an Afghan, curl up by the fire, and thank God for His loving care over the precious cargo. Our rituals did their part in facilitating the farewell; now we look to God to do His part in restoring our lives to normal.

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

What plans do you have for out-of-town guests over the holidays?

Are there certain rituals you have developed for family partings?

How could a scriptural blessing be an asset in your saying goodbye?