Morning Devotional 122025 Considered Carefully

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

December 20, 2025 

Luke 2:15-20

15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. 18 Everyone who heard it was amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully. 20 The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.

Good Morning! His name is called Emmanuel!

19 Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.

Mary’s faith and maturity provide us with a standard upon which to aspire. In the midst of everything unfolding and being revealed to her and others, she took time to purposely commit these things to memory and consider them carefully. 

After all, she had just given birth under less than typical circumstances, yet I see her as gracious toward her unexpected visitors. 

When I look back at some of the most significant times in my life, I realize that sometimes I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the moment. I remember the events, but I didn’t fully live in the moment. This happens when we are so caught up in managing all the details that once everything lines up, we are simply along for the ride. 

I think of Christmas mornings when my children were young. You spend weeks and months preparing for a special morning, and then in the blink of an eye, it’s over. All that preparation plays out in just a few minutes, and then all that is left is the torn wrapping paper, boxes, and bows strewn around the room.

In 2001, I completed a three-year journey toward completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Music. This journey actually began in 1975, but was placed on hiatus for nineteen years. One credit, a.k.a. Senior Recital, stood between me and graduation. This recital had been the spur that kept me up at night during this return to school. I practiced, prepared, and anticipated this concert with great energy. 

The night finally came. I sat, played, and completed my pieces. Not perfect, but done to the best of my ability. When I played the last chord, I sat on the bench for a few moments, I thanked God and purposely committed it to memory, and considered carefully what led to this accomplishment. Suddenly, I heard the applause, rose, and took my bows. 

Lord, you bless us abundantly! Help us to savor special moments instead of rushing through them on the way to something else. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Thought for the day: Take time to live into the special moments with God.

Christ is coming! Pastor Liz