Luke 2:19 tells us that at the time of Jesus’ birth, Mary treasured up inside her heart all the amazing events that occurred at that time. After the trip to Jerusalem, Mary did it again. She privately pondered the words spoken by her son.
By the time Jesus was 12 years old, he without doubt had heard about the events surrounding his birth. Even if Mary had never spoken to her son about those events, we can be certain that in a small town like Bethlehem or Nazareth, others would talk. What yenta would not whisper about the young girl in Nazareth who missed her wedding celebration because she got pregnant? Who could stifle news about foreign kings bringing gifts to an infant in Bethlehem? After all, someone remembered these events and told them to Luke and Matthew as they recorded their accounts of Jesus’ life.
More likely, at an appropriate time Mary and Joseph talked with Jesus about the unusual events that marked his birth…the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, the wise men, the flight to Egypt. These stories glorified God. They were not to be forgotten. As the psalmist said in Psalm 78:4-7, “We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord. We will tell of his power and the mighty miracles he did . . . so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – that they in turn might teach their children so each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”
What amazing things has the Lord done for you? You may not have seen angels or magi, but you have observed God at work. Have you shared those stories with the next generation so that those you love will remember God’s power and choose to obey his commands?
