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Monday, December 23, 2019

One Special Moment

The hymn "Silent Night" is a popular favorite among the traditional Christmas songs. It conveys a sense of a peaceful and calm environment during the time of Jesus' birth. However, few people realize that when Mary and Joseph arrived, Bethlehem was a hub of activity. Many others had arrived before them to fulfill the decree issued that required taxes to be paid in Caesar's census. (Luke 2:1-3) The population of Bethlehem swelled with visitors. Beggars cried out in the streets seeking alms. The moneychangers were furiously converting money to the coins of the day. (i.e. shekels, denarius) The marketplace was bustling with activity as bakers sold fresh baked bread and sellers of brass peddled their wares. Regardless of the many goods up for sale, visitors needed to be mindful to save enough money to pay the tax collectors. Yet, despite all the chaos in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were able to focus in on one special moment, the birth of Jesus. Even after the shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby in Bethlehem and no doubt shared with them the angelic announcement they had experienced, we are told "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) 


One Special Gift


The activity in Bethlehem is not unlike our experiences during the Christmas season. There are very few other times during the year when marketplace activity is at a fever pitch. While some are trying to seek the peace and joy associated with Christmas, that which they seek is often overshadowed with the frenetic hustle and bustle of shoppers exchanging money both paper and plastic to get that "perfect gift." Shoppers also need to be mindful of their overspending lest they fall short of paying that credit card bill when it comes due. As Christmas becomes more and more commercialized, the challenge is even greater to find one special moment to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and like Mary, ponder all these things in our hearts.  Let us take to heart Jesus words from the gospel of Matthew, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) May we all take the time this Christmas to stop and focus our hearts and minds on the only gift that really makes a difference in our lives not just on one day but throughout the whole year. Moreover, let us remember it is a gift that comes from the hands of Almighty God and it is one that will never wear out, perish, or fade because it is eternal. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Sheree