December 18:
B.C. verse: Luke 2: 19-20
A.D. verse: Philippians 1:9-11
Christmas hymn: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
Hymn for today: “All This Time” by Britt Nicole
The night stand by my bed is the warehouse of all my “special” stuff.
These are items (mostly paper) that mean something only to me. For example,
every journal that I have written in since 1993 is in this night stand. I have
old pictures, my grandma’s Bible, a broken bracelet from my great-grandma, and
a prayer book that was given to me by my other grandma. I also have every
handwritten note/letter that my kids have given to me as well as their baby teeth
and even the positive pregnancy strips that announced imminent motherhood.
Even though that last one is admittedly weird, these are my treasures.
The fact that I have tucked them away in a “special” hidden place indicates
that they are valued and special only for and to me. Likewise, my treasures
define me; what I keep is an indication of what is most important to me.
In today’s verses we read that “Mary treasured all these things in her
heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2: 19). Even though the verse does
not discuss physical items that Mary treasured, it does indicate what she
valued – where her heart was. In order to keep all that had happened – God’s
blessings and providence – fresh in her mind, she “pondered” them often.
What we choose to “ponder” is a reflection of our hearts – the place
where our true treasures abide. “For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). In my case, the contents of my night stand
indicate my heart’s treasure, which is family, especially my children. “Warm
fuzzies,” however, are not the only “treasures” that are stored away. Bitterness,
resentment, hatred and the like are also reflections of the heart.
Good or bad, whatever we ponder will either nurture or poison us. Those
thoughts affect our actions, which ultimately become our character. Therefore,
it is important that we carefully choose what to ponder and treasure.
Today’s A.D. verses are my “life verses;” it is a reminder that what we
think is what we become:
“I pray that your love will
overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and
understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you
may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you
always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character
produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and
praise to God” (Philippians 1:9-11).
Daily Challenge: Do something for a neighbor today.
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