She could never have imagined that she was about to be plunged into a life of challenge, change, conflict, misunderstanding, and danger.  Like any young woman her age, she was looking forward to her wedding.  It would be a lovely occasion and just the beginning of a happy, contented life with a kind and thoughtful man.  He wasn’t rich, but he was the kind of man you could depend on, hard-working and earnest in his faith.

She herself, was also serious in her love of the holy Scriptures.  She obeyed them even to the nitty gritty of abstinence till marriage.  But there wasn’t anything about her that would indicate that she was about to play a major part in changing the world forever.  That is why she was flabbergasted that fateful day when her life took an unexpected turn.  Who was she to receive an angel visitor?! 

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.”  Luke 1:29

Mary wasn’t given a lot of information by the angel who suddenly appeared and revealed God’s plan to send his Son through her. She could have balked and made objections. But instead, she was thrilled to hear that her Son would be great, the Son of the Most High, and reign forever from his ancestor David’s throne.  After all these centuries of waiting for the prophesies to be fulfilled, she would help them come true.  She did ask the how question, but not in disbelief, simply in curiosity.  Perhaps she was wondering if they should move the wedding date up so the Baby could be born sooner. 

But she quickly realized ‘normal’ was no longer going to describe her life.  It wasn’t going to be a normal conception.  It would be the most unusual one in the history of the universe.  Going on a bare minimum of information from the angel she willingly and without hesitation agreed. 

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  Luke 1:38

It was incomprehensible, yet she clung to the angel’s words, “No word from God will ever fail.” (Luke 1:37) He had promised her a miraculous Son and she would do her part.  She could never have imagined on that bright day that she was about to be plunged into a life of challenge, change, conflict, misunderstanding, and danger.

Based on her conversation with her relative recorded in Luke 1, we know Mary was convinced that God knew her and she knew God.  She believed that God was her Savior personally interested in her even though she was unimportant in the world’s eyes.  She somehow grasped that this great thing God was presently doing in her was for the generations to come.  It would reach far beyond the present moment.  She understood that God has been in charge of history and is to be trusted because he is holy, all-knowing, merciful, and keeps his promises.  That’s a surprising depth of understanding for a simple young girl from a humble village!  ( in Luke 1:46-55)

Following her delivery of the promised Baby, more supernatural events occurred.  These miracles weren’t lost on the serious-minded young woman.  When seemingly unimportant laborers burst into Mary’s unusual birthing quarters with tales of an angel visit, she didn’t spurn them or insist on her privacy.   She simply added this to things to think over.

 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  Luke 2:19

Treasured up can be translated as hid; preserved; remembered; kept.
Pondered can be translated as thought deeply; continued to think; thought much; mused; meditated; considered carefully; kept mulling; considered; or always thought.  Mary hid all these unusual events deep in her heart and thought about them often.  Soon there would be other miraculous events to add to her mental treasure chest!

Forty days after the birth the couple brought the infant to the Temple for the sacrifices of purification and dedication. There, yet another supernatural event happened.  And once again, Mary took it all in, letting it trigger an awe of God.  An old man recognized the infant for who he was, God’s salvation for all people.

“The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.”  Luke 2:33

The elderly seer revealed more details about the future of the Babe.  The poor, new mother was warned of a dark side to the story that would sweep over her Son and herself.

“This child is destined . . .  to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  Luke 2:34-35

A chill must have run up her spine as she held the innocent Baby in her arms.  How could she protect him – and herself?  She couldn’t have imagined then the heartache she would experience while she watched her brave, good Son be rejected.  It started during his ministry when those in religious power felt threatened and became so jealous that they plotted his death.  The climax was when the evil intent of many manifested in the accusation and crucifixion of her beloved Son. How could this be God’s will?! Why would God allow this to happen?!  The cross turned out to be the dividing line.  Those who opposed him rejoiced and those who loved him mourned.  (Even today the death and subsequent resurrection still divide the world’s population.  Some scoff and others cling to him as their deepest love and hope.)

Of course, this day in the temple was only the beginning of hard-to-understand occurrences.  Even before her Son started his adult mission, he was precocious.  As he left childhood and entered his teens, he gave a glimpse of his future to those who were paying attention.

“After three days they found him [at the age of twelve] in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”(or about my Father’s business)  But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  Luke 2:46-52  

Once again, Mary observed and retained.  She kept, pondered, and remembered even though she couldn’t fully understand.

I want to be like Mary.  Even though she couldn’t completely comprehend, she accepted what God revealed and allowed it to sink deeply into her thinking.  She didn’t brush it off.  She didn’t just give it a passing thought.  She held it close.  She directed her thoughts to these glimpses into God’s plans.  She meditated, considered the meaning, mused, kept mulling over what had been revealed to her.  She remembered.

Years later, even while in the agony of death, her loving Son remembered her. From the cross he gave directives for her care.  At the lowest point of her life, Jesus was there tenderly caring for her in the midst of his own suffering.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”  John 19:26-27

Some years after her Son’s death, resurrection, and departure for Heaven a learned man interviewed and recorded eyewitnesses.  We assume he recorded aging Mary’s memories which she had carefully stored in her heart and had gone over so many times in her mind.  Thank you, Dr. Luke, and faithful Mary! Now I can ‘treasure up all these things and ponder them’ in my heart, too!

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  Dr. Luke introducing his book, the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament.  Luke 1:1-4