Treasure
“But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
The Savior is born!
A thousand angels broadcast the news. They fill the sky and sing. A gaggle of shepherds praise the Lord. They scurry around, they come and go and tell. Christmas dawns bustling and loud. Everyone has something to say, noisy and glad.
Mary doesn’t say a thing, but the door of her heart stands dangerously open. It all comes in—gladness, hope, consequences. Inwardly, she turns the prism of each sight and sound, each extraordinary thing, every possible meaning. With each turning, new light, greater affection.
She is the still point in the resounding amazement.
Oh, the things she knows . . .
She is the field in which God buried a treasure. And someday, when we’re paying attention, we will stumble upon it. Someday our hearts will leap at its worth. Someday we will sell all we have for it.
Maybe today.
Prayer
On Christmas Day, Saving God, move us to adore and rejoice; but grant us also the stillness of Mary, her open door, the art of treasuring, and a glimpse of the things she knows. In the name of her newborn Child, we pray. Amen.
Mary Luti is a long time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila’s Way and numerous articles, and founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.