What do I treasure?

As I watched the movie The Nativity I was again awe struck by the miracle of Jesus birth.  What a tremendous gift we were given.  I decided to read Luke 2 several times in the weeks before Christmas.  What struck me as I was reading this passage over and over again was the verse that says and Mary  "treasured all these things in her heart".  I began to ask myself  "what do I treasure?"  What have I treasured in the past?   What things have often consumed my heart and caused me to miss what was most important.   This last year I began seeking a different treasure.  Sanfilippo entering our lives would  begin to change my heart and would remind me over and over what was most important.  I would receive the treasure of brokenness. This treasure would remind me that even when life was hard I could believe that God was still good!  I desire more of his treasures to grow in my heart in the year 2011!  So my prayer this next year is that I would truly discover more, much more of the treasures of God. 

Treasures ~ gold, frankincense and myrhh were the treasures brought to the babe who was wrapped in swaddling clothes.  Treasures brought by the wise men who came and worshiped Him.  As I thought about each of these treasures that were brought to the baby Jesus ~gold ~ which represents his royalty, gold was a very expensive gift, much like today.  Frankincense ~  a rare and expensive incense that had a sweet smell as it burned and was used only in worship to God.  Myrhh ~ an expensive perfume that was most often used in burials.  So it was possibly given to Jesus because he was born to die. 

So as I think about the treasures that were given to Jesus, the savior of the world, I wonder how can those gifts, impact my life today?  How can I be changed by these treasures?  I know that those gifts were given with hearts full of worship and praise for the new born king.  Maybe the gift for me and for us, is finding that same worshipful heart, seeking and praising him in new ways this year.  God bless each of you as you worship and seek after the babe who came wrapped in mercy and grace!  He who was given treasures and was Himself the treasure for me and for you!

Luke 2:19 ~ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Matthew 2:10-11 ~ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

a tree, a star and a little boy!

Jayden was curiously looking at our Christmas tree the other day.  I had just finished decorating the tree and it was the first time he had seen it.  Our tree stands about 7ft tall and was beautifully lit with at least 1000 white lights.  I had put a simple star at the top.  That morning I noticed Jayden staring at the tree.  He slowly raised his arms with wonder and awe as if he wanted to hug the tree or maybe he was wanting to reach the star.  I'm not real sure.  He had such a sweet, whimsical and somewhat worshipful look on his face, as he lifted his arms.  In that moment I was touched by his tender embrace and the sweet smile and look of astonishment.  The wonder on his face was completely the wonder and joy of a little child.  I know he doesn't understand that the star at the top of the tree reminds me of the star that shone so bright over Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born.   I know Jayden didn't understand the worshipful attitude he showed me that morning.  But Jayden reminded me in that moment of what was most important.   I sensed in my heart a deep desire to worship the babe that was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  The babe who came wrapped in mercy and grace.

That simple star at the top of my tree was pointing and reminding me of the most important gift....the gift of a saviour, the gift of His presence.  So I have to thank a little 4 year old boy for reminding me and pointing me to that baby, the gift of God.   A moment I won't soon forget.  A moment that caused me to worship Jesus in a new way.   The wonder of a child.  I'm glad that I didn't miss the gift of a little 4 year old boy, in a tender, childlike way pointing me to the most important gift of all.   Thank you Jesus for a beautiful reminder of your love, your sacrifice, your grace, your gift for me, for us, for all mankind. 

Luke 2: 6-12

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Baby Jesus ~ wrapped in mercy and grace!

As I think about Christmas quickly approaching....I'm feeling a deep desire to worship in the stable, this babe who came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was lying in the manger.  My heart says to worship.  My mind says worry about all the preparations. I'm going to listen to my heart and worry less about the other.  The other will get done.  I'm certain of that. 

This baby Jesus came, not only wrapped in swaddling clothes but He came wrapped in mercy and grace.  A gift that was glorified.  His glory came down and offered us so much.  I don't want to miss the message and the gift He brings!  Even as the wise men brought gifts to him,  he came to give us himself.

Such treasures we find in Him.  He's given us His peace to rule in our hearts, joy to fill our souls, and a love that is so amazing.  What a gift He is to me!   I love a great treasure or maybe an heirloom or two, but much more than that, I desire to seek more of this baby Jesus who came wrapped in mercy and grace for me!

Like the song Heirloom ~ my precious Jesus is more than an heirloom to me!
by Amy Grant

Wisemen and shepherds,
Down on their knees,
Bringing their treasures
To lay at His feet.
Who was this wonder,
Baby yet King?
Living and dying;
He gave life to me.

Time never changes,
The memory, the moment
His love first pierced through me,
Telling all that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I'm going to be.
My precious Savior
Is more than an heirloom to me.

My precious Jesus
Is more than an heirloom to me.