My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- December 24, 2007

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December 24, 2007

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

Hidden Treasures, by Phil Ware

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her
heart (Luke 2:19 TNIV). But his mother treasured all these things
in her heart (Luke 2:51).

We are fascinated about stories of hidden treasure. Many of the
blockbuster movies over the last several decades have revolved around
this theme -- the Indiana Jones movies, The Mummy movies, and more
recently the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the National Treasure
series.

As kids, we were fascinated about finding old things and we would look
at them carefully hoping to find some secret drawer or hidden space
where there might be a secret treasure! As older adults, we have to
admit we, too, check old objects and old places for such secret spaces.

There is an allure that speaks to us in some primal place in our hearts
about hidden treasure. So when Luke twice records that Mary treasured
the wonder of Jesus' birth in her heart (Luke 2:19; Luke 2:51),
something resonates inside of us. We can understand. Our heart skips a
beat when Luke tells us that Mary intentionally treasured these moments
and hid them away in heart. This sounds so true to our world and to our
experience!

The mystery, the wonder, the bewilderment, the delight, the fear, and
the struggle as a new mom to God's Son are secreted in this hiding
place of Mary's heart. She apparently opened this hidden treasure for
Luke as he carefully researched the story of Jesus before publishing
the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:1-4).

Mary's testimony to the beloved physician, Luke, has the feel of
authenticity. Her memories, recorded by Luke at the prompting of the
Holy Spirit, are nudges to us. These promptings invite us into the
basic humanity and simple richness of this story. We enter a mystery
beyond our comprehension, but told in a story so simple and real, we
know in our guts that it is true.

Let's not ...

So in the hurry of our season, the rush of travel, the frantic
preparation for guests, the busy preparation of food, the mad dash back
to the mall for the last minute gift, the dread of re-awakened family
conflicts, and the stress of relationships, let's not ...

* ... not sweat the small stuff!

* ... not miss the tender moments of grace!

* ... not lose the opportunity to lock away treasures in our own
hearts!

Let's celebrate that true treasures are ours because of Jesus.

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Daily Heartlight -- December 24, 2007