Treasure in our hearts

Today is Christmas Eve. The preparations are made. Work is completed. All is prepared for tomorrow. Tonight is about treasuring the gifts not under the tree but the ones that that Angels declared to the shepherds in their fields. Tonight is about the Messiah that came to deliver the world from sin and death. Tonight is about God who humbled himself and become flesh so that he might dwell among us, teaching us and showing us the way. Tonight is about the one who brings hope, joy, and peace into our lives. I will be sharing pictures of my past trip to Israel in January. Specifically, the Shepherds field and the place of the manger where Jesus was laid in. Listen to the scriptures and while I talk about the wonderful treasure Mary stored in her heart, I ask you to find the treasure too here at Christmas that you may also store up in your heart too.

Listen to Luke 2:1-20

Luke 2:1–20 NRSV

1 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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We hear the pronouncement by the angels to the shepherds of the birth of the Savior. The shepherds witnessed this announcement and hear the heavenly host all sing forth in praise of what had happened just then. On a cold dark and probably lonely night, these shepherds, in a likely thankless job, who were to watch over the livestock, had been given the best news ever. You can bet they treasured this event in their hearts and were never the same again. Christ the Savior was born and they witnessed both the angels proclaiming the news as well as seeing for themselves the wonderful Savior.

Mary and Joseph, having found no room in the inn, having to care for a newborn in a animal stable, were probably having a rough night as well. They had made it through the long journey. Mary had the baby and all were healthy. This was not the expected triumphant entry of this special child being born that they probably had in mind. Yet, the unlikeliest of people came and shared with them the announcement and proclamation made by the angels of heaven, declaring their son as the savior of the world. Scripture tells us Mary pondered these events and words spoken and treasured them in her heart.

Tonight as we also celebrate not just the birth of the Savior but the new life. Light has been brought into this world and our lives because of Christ. We have been given new life and have experienced God in our life. These experiences, these special moments with God are the fond things we treasure in our hearts. These pictures that I have been showing are one of many memories I have where I have experienced moments with God that I have treasured greatly. Search your own heart to see what experiences you treasure where you have felt God speak to you, listen to you, move you, and simply been present with you. These are the treasures we place in our heart.

We will carry on the tradition of lighting a candle in recognition of the light of Christ that not only came into the world but into our lives tonight. Each you has a candle that you will light from your neighbor. The light of Christ shines through any darkness in life and this light seems to make our spirits brighter.