Theme of the Week: Advent
Bible Verse: “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” Luke 2:16-20
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:16-40
The older I get, the more precious a commodity memories become. As the dad of adult kids, I hold precious the memories of the tiny people they used to be. As a middle aged man, I treasure the recollection of times gone by with grandparents who are no longer with us.
Part of being human is the ability to cherish and treasure moments of special importance or significance. One such memory is of an impromptu fishing trip with my grandfather and my boys. To be fair, calling what we did a “fishing trip” is a monumental overstatement. The boys and I stopped by the bait store on the way to Poppaw’s house to fetch the old man before heading to the well-used fishing hole on the family farm.
Because the boys were small, I decided to trust my oldest to fish with my grandfather while Caleb, my younger son, and I went down the bank to test our luck. Before long a comical commotion turned my attention to the small dock where Drew and Poppaw were fishing.
Drew had hooked a fish larger than his tiny four-year-old-sized pole could handle. He had gotten the fish to bank but couldn’t quite get it up on the dock. I can still see it as clear as day. An over-joyed 4-year-old being dangled over the mudding farm-pond water by his 80-year-old great grand-father as they tried to wrangle my boy’s first small mouth bass.
When the Scriptures say that Mary treasured these things in her heart, it literally means that she kept them safe. They were precious. The Shepherd’s visit, the time with Elizabeth and Zechariah, the love and acceptance of Joseph, the angelic visit…the events surround the birth of her son were locked away in her memory.
Advent is a time for us to remember Mary’s treasure. Her son, this tiny baby, wasn’t just the apple of her eye but He would be the salvation of the entire world. His arrival announced a new and everlasting kingdom.
Prayer: God, we are so very thankful that you sent your one and only Son—the treasure of heaven has come the Mary’s treasure. Help us to treasure the moments this holiday with those we love and rest in the hope that resurrection awaits all who trust in Mary’s baby for life and salvation.
Reflection: Are there moments of spiritual significance in your life that you need to take time to ponder? Are their memories of special spiritual significance that bring you peace and meaning?
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