Hard truth: Many (Most?) Christians are lazy in theology and discipleship.

Harder truth: Pastors who foster dependence on themselves facilitate laziness. 

Hardest truth: Churches who attempt to provide for every need except for discipleship hinder disciples’ growth and development.

There is a fitting alternative. Mary, the mother of Jesus, helps us. Begin reading Luke’s Gospel at 1:26. Read all the way through Luke 2:52. 

Mary has important things to say in Luke 1. 

Listen to them.

Mary has important things to ponder in Luke 2. 

Join her.

Take a look at 2:19:

See also 2:51:

Lazy Christians do not ponder deep truths often enough or deeply enough. 

Growing Christians ponder new truths and old day by day. 

The best gift of Christmas is a commitment to spend time alone with God day by day. Old truths and new insights lead us into ever-deeper realizations of how good God is and how gracious he wants to be for us in each moment we are alert and awake and in every evening when we recline in restful repose. 

Gifts will be exchanged soon. Some of those will come and go with no lasting effect. Others will become treasures to ponder for the rest of our lives. 

Jesus is the gift of Christmas. 

This is a good time to begin pondering all this means. John 3:16 is a faithful guide and aid for our reflection. 

Jesus is the gift who keeps on giving. 

—

I will ponder Jesus.

—