Risen treasure

Isn’t it amazing how scriptures that you have read 200 times can still surprise you on the 201st reading. I just spent some quality time reading the Christmas story from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. I make it a tradition to do this each Christmas, just as I read about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ in each of the Gospels during the Easter season. It would seem that this practice would be a good opportunity for reflecting, but not be a source of ”new” lessons. And yet, each year I am amazed to discover something that preciously escaped my notice. I think that this something that God does to remind me that His word is alive and that even the most familiar passages of scriptures are rich with truth. This year I was fascinated by Mary’s response to the shepherds visit to the stable.

Luke 2:15-20 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 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.

The report that the shepherds told to Mary concerning their encounter with the angels was an affirmation from God. Mary did not miss this fact, but treasured these moments. Dictionary.com says that the verb form of treasure means “to retain carefully or keep in store, as in the mind. To regard or treat as precious. To Cherish.” When God uses the words and actions of others to affirm and encourage us, we should follow Mary’s lead and treasure these moments. We should not let these precious gifts go by with little notice, we must cherish and store them in our hearts to help us through those times of doubt and discouragement. These reminders of God’s love for us are truly something to treasure