Treasured Moments
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“But Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.” Luke 2:19
As Christmas approaches our thoughts turn to gifts and presents for family and friends. What do I buy or make or share? As I reflect on Christmas days I have experienced in my life, I remember little about the gifts I received. I remember some of the gifts I gave to others. I have some memories based on pictures taken of the gifts around the tree. My dad always had to take a picture of everyone holding their gifts. The gifts sometimes did not last through Christmas day. I remember one year receiving a metal slinky toy. It was like a large spring that could be stretched and go down steps. By the end of the day, I had it twisted and tangled to the point it no longer worked. What I treasure the most is the memories of being with family and my church family. The treasures were not the unwrapped gifts but the moments of love.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasured all the events of Jesus’ birth in her heart and the events became memories that she continued to think about all her life. It was not the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that she was treasuring but all the events and people around the birth of Jesus. It was the moments of God’s presence. God had come to earth in the form of a baby, her baby. She was chosen by God. She was loved. She was not in her home or with her family, but she was with God. Mary may have been frightened and felt alone without her extended family, but she was experiencing God break through her fears and life and be with her.
The first year after my husband Dave’s death, I gave treasures from his collections as gifts so that his family and friends would have a physical treasure to remind them of Dave’s continuing presence. Each year I have tried to give a gift as a reminder of Dave and his love. This year, I gave some Christmas gifts early so that family and friends would enjoy them – Christmas ornaments created by Dave’s dear friend Tom’s daughter Gigi. A memorial angel for the tree.
This Christmas season is different because of COVID and because loved ones are not with us. We may not be with family or have a large family gathering this year. In our grief, we know Christmas will be different and may not feel like celebrating and purchasing gifts anyhow. Maybe this is the year to follow Mary’s guidance and treasure moments in our hearts. We each have past memories that are so special to us – precious as a fragile ornament. We gently take out the memory and hold it in our heart.
I have come to realize that my treasures are moments I have tucked away in my heart. Moments that are like a photo or a video clip of an event or a time I had with my loved one. When I close my eyes, I feel and see the moment. It brings warmth to my soul and a moment of peace and joy in my heart. Some of these moments are triggered by pictures or by a treasured possession. But most of these moments are gifts from God when I feel sad or lonely and need a touch of love.
We can continue to create these treasured moments. Be in the moment with a sunset, beautiful Christmas lights, a song, the hug of a child, the smell of soup, the smile of a friend. Each of these are treasures that sustain us in life and give us hope in this different life. When you experience these moments, stop, close your eyes and take a mental picture of the moment. Then when you need it, just pull it from your treasures and ponder it as a gift from God to guide you through the rough moments of life.
