New Year: Looking Back
Scripture — Luke 2:19 (NRSV)
And Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
Focus
And Mary ponders it all in her heart. Treasures and ponders it. In this liminal space before what once was her life a year before. And now she stands in this threshold, holding the hope of humanity, looking back at all that has been said to her and others. And ponders.
Devotion
I have a saying that goes like this: We don’t learn from our experiences. We learn from reflecting on our experiences. As I write this devotional it is still 2025, but you will not read this until it is 2026! We stand in that liminal space during Christmastide that I find mystical and invitational. One of my favorite annual rituals is the sacred pause to mark the end of a calendar year and to look back at the year we leave behind. Often, I rush to the list of things I want to forget and want the year to be over with already. In the same breath, the Spirit stops me and gently reminds me to also remember the things that I do not want to forget.
Mother Mary has experienced a wild year as we sit with this familiar vignette in the Advent story. She has had not a small annunciation by an angel about mothering the son of the Most High. Her betrothed almost leaves her, then doesn’t. She has carried this child to term, travelled 80 miles to Bethlehem and given birth while doing so. An angel of the Lord comes to shepherds in fields at night and announces to them where this long-awaited Messiah would be found. They show up and find a post-partum exhausted mama and a wide-eyed father, amazed at what these shepherds have been told by the divine. It’s a lot to take in for Mary!
When I paused today I realized, “Wow, these are some sensational news items, even if they are good news of great joy for all peoples!” As a first-time mom, I think I would need a minute. But I love the mystery that comes with communal discernment. The divine hosts are not just speaking to Mary and revealing dreams to Joseph. No, just in case either of them ever wonder: _Is this real life? _God sends ordinary, human messengers to repeat what God has already said about this child, his purpose, his calling and role in life. Not that either of them would forget! However, the invitation is to a holy remembering of God’s words, God’s plan and God’s promised presence, even in this wild ride called life!
And Mary ponders it all in her heart. Treasures and ponders it. In this liminal space before what once was her life a year before. And now she stands in this threshold, holding the hope of humanity, looking back at all that has been said to her and others. And ponders.
Reflect
Like Mary, I invite you take 15 minutes to look back at this year and reflect on all that has happened. Feel free to jumpstart your memory by looking through your photos or your calendar to remember moments and memories.
Act
Journal prompt: What was one challenge you faced, and how did God meet you in it? What are 1-3 things (or more!) that happened this past year that you do not want to forget?
Pray
God, in every season, we look back to last year and invite Jesus to walk with us one more time through our memories. Help us to name and release our disappointments for the losses and griefs we endured. Help us to remember the times where you met us in our greatest need. Help us to have eyes to see and ears to hear the words you have spoken that we do not want to forget. Help us to gather the graces, especially the never-ending grace upon grace that comes from your love. Amén.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: A Very Mary Christmas.
Inés Velásquez-McBryde
Chaplain at Fuller Theological Seminary & Pastor, Preacher, Speaker
Inés Velásquez-McBryde is a pastor, preacher, reconciler and mujerista theologian. She is the lead pastor and co-founder of The Church We Hope For. She is originally from Nicaragua, a third generation pastor, and the first pastora in her family. Inés earned her MDiv at Fuller Theolo...