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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!

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence This edition of this timeless devotional classic will help you cultivate a continual awareness of God in the everyday.

Phil Ware is minister of the Word at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas. For the past 10+ years, he has also been co-editor of HEARTLIGHT Magazine. For more details, click here.

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