Commentary on Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

Eastern Orthodox Christians call Mary, the mother of Jesus, Theotokos—Theo meaning “God,” tokos meaning “carrying.” Mary, then, is the God-bearer in Luke 2:1–14. This story reveals important qualities about Mary that foreshadow the kind of son she will raise and the impact he will have on the world.

Mary, the God-bearer

Mary has endured a difficult journey during the last month of her pregnancy. Instead of being at home surrounded by her female kin and familiar midwife, her first time giving birth is in a stable surrounded by animals. Her first visitors are not her extended family who come to congratulate her and Joseph and gaze admiringly at their son, but strangers—shepherds from the nearby fields.

Curiously, these shepherds come with a message that is reminiscent of the one she received nine months ago. Both Mary and the shepherds are visited by angels and told about the miraculous birth of a Messiah destined to save the world. As she listens to the shepherds’ story, Mary remembers how the angel had told her what her son’s name was to be: Yeshua, which means “God will save” (Luke 1:31). And what were the shepherds told? “To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (2:11).

Just as Mary sang her Magnificat with full voice, so, too, the shepherds return to the fields singing the song they heard echoing across the heavens: “Glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace has come to God’s people!”

Treasuring and pondering

This time, however, it is likely that Mary could not sing, but only listen in wonder, exhausted as she was from her labor and delivery. She simply received what the shepherds shared with her, “treasured” their words and “pondered them in her heart” (2:19). The Greek word for “to treasure” is syntero, meaning “to keep.” She holds onto their words. And the word for “to ponder” is symballo, meaning “to bring things together in one’s mind.”

Thus, the God-bearer has brought together heaven and earth not just in her body, but in her mind.  Mary is taking mental notes, making connections in her brain that will serve her and her child at some time in the future.

Later in this same chapter, Mary will again be amazed when a stranger, Simeon, tells her that her son will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to [God’s] people Israel” (2:32). Yet he will also foretell her own soul being pierced by her son’s destiny (2:35). 

The end of this chapter contains the story of Jesus as a 12-year-old boy slipping away from his parents and going back to the temple in Jerusalem to engage in some tête-à-tête with the teachers. At first, Mary’s mother-bear instinct kicks in, and she rebukes him for making them worry. It’s probably only later, after they’re safely home and she’s “treasuring all these things in her heart” (2:51), that she realizes something.

Like mother, like son

Jesus was not much younger than Mary herself when she received a visit from an angel. She had engaged in her own tête-à-tête with Gabriel about the mysterious plans of God. In that visit, she learned that God had noticed her, favored her, and wanted her to be the one to bring the Messiah into the world.

Then, 12 years later, she would realize that Jesus is a chip off the old block! Like Mary, he is whip-smart, pondering, collecting insights, gaining wisdom. Perhaps she shouldn’t be surprised to see her son doing exactly what she had done at his age. God had declared her “blessed.” God had declared her son to be the Messiah. This is what she will come to treasure, even when his destiny pierces her own soul.

But at this moment, as she holds this promised child in her arms—treasuring, pondering—the God-bearer knows only that she herself was pondered and treasured by God. And now she will make her own imprint on the child whom she ponders and treasures.

Giving thanks for the God-bearers

As we listen to this familiar story, we might recall someone in our own lives who pondered and treasured us. A person who thinks deeply about who we are, endures difficulties so that we might flourish, and brings heaven together in their body and mind for us connects us with the profound love that God has for us. Even when we annoy or anger or worry this person, they continue to nurture us and remain steadfast in their devotion. 

We give thanks for the God-bearers in our own lives, the people who carry sacredness within themselves and share it with us, with the world. God’s love is made real and tangible for us through these God-bearers. And we are each opened to become God-bearers ourselves.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Loving God, you sent your only son, Jesus, into the world, so that all might know of your love. Remind us daily that we are your precious children, too. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

HYMNS

O come, all ye faithful ELW 283, H82 83, UMH 234, NCH 135
Silent night, holy night ELW 281, H82 111, UMH 239, NCH 134
Away in a manger ELW 277, 278, H82 101, UMH 217, NCH 124

CHORAL

What sweeter music, Michael Fink