As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
then returned giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels
had told them. On the eighth day, the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was
named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
REFLECT: We begin the new calendar year with the example of Mary, the Mother of God.
Blessed by God and attentive to his call, she gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. She
remains attentive to God’s voice, following Jesus throughout his years of ministry, even to
the cross. How can we learn from her example? How can she, as a loving mother, lead us
along the path of righteousness that will ultimately lead us to heaven? The key is to follow
her example of treasuring God’s word and pondering it in our hearts. An attentive ear, an
open heart, a willing spirit – the signs of a blessed child of the Father.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022