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.
