Luke 2   Here Luke gives an account of the birth of Jesus.  Then he skips to the trip to Jerusalem for Jesus to be presented to the Lord in the temple and then he skips again to the time when Jesus is 12 and stays behind in the temple.   It makes me curious then, why Luke, who has stated his intention to give a careful account "in consecutive order" of all the events.. chooses to skip the visit by the wise men and the time in Egypt.

However, the things that he does include are given to us in great detail.
The trip to Bethlehem.
The revelation to the shepherds.
The testimony of Simeon.
The witness of Anna.
The return to Nazareth.
The visit to Jerusalem at the age of 12.

We are told twice in this chapter that Mary "treasured all these things in her heart." 

She pondered the testimony of the shepherds who told her that the angels appeared to them with this message, " .. I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

She pondered the testimony of Simeon who said " .. for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, and the glory of Thy people Israel."  And she pondered Simeon's private words to her, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed- and a sword will pierce even your own soul - to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

Mary pondered the words of Anna, as this godly woman began to give "thanks to God and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." 

Mary also pondered the words of her Son, who spent 3 days in the temple talking and listening to the teachers, amazing them with His " understanding and His answers,"  He said to her, " Why is it that you were looking for Me?  Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"

Wouldn't we love to know more about the life of Jesus during those years as He "kept increasing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men," ?

Mary did come to know for herself the sword that pierced her soul as she watched Jesus hang on a cross.. as she came to know the great joy of salvation when He rose from the dead and fulfilled all His Father's will for the redemption of Israel and for the whole world.

One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Mary, Did you Know?" Did she know that night when she gave birth to a Son, that He would do the things that He did?  No... but she did know that the world would be forever changed by this Child, who was and is the Savior of the world, the King of all nations, the Son of God.  What a journey she went on through her life!

Father in Heaven,  how great is Your Name in all the earth!  Thank You for the Savior, Jesus Christ, Who came in perfect humility and obedience, to do Your complete will.. for ALL people.. and for me, personally.  He is my Lord and King and I submit to His rule and reign in my life today and every day.  Your will be done and Your Kingdom come!  Lord, let us go deeper into Your love and into the steadfastness of Jesus Christ as we journey through this day.  I ask this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.