See bulletin video I recently asked a group of elderly men and women, “What kind of things have you treasured most in your life? There were a wide variety of answers. All of them agreed, that a spouse or family members were top on the list. Others mentioned their home. Some mentioned their ability to work. It was interesting to see how their perspective was much different now that they were nearer the end of their earthly lives. The most encouraging thing was that they agreed that their greatest treasure was Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! Luke 2:19-20 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Verse 19 says “Mary kept all these things… in her heart.” The Greek word for “kept” can also be translated guard or treasure. Mary, like the shepherds, treasured what God had revealed to them about this Baby. They kept that close to their heart. They pondered and praised God for His salvation that would come through His Son, this Baby born in the manger, Jesus Christ. There is no other treasure on earth that compares to this gift from God. There is nothing else that is worth pondering more, that what our God and Savior has revealed to us in Christ Jesus our Lord! What a fitting verse to sing and praise Him with… Oh, may we keep and ponder in our mind God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind! Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss, From His poor manger to His bitter cross, Tread in His steps, assisted by His grace, Till man's first heavenly state again takes place. -John Byrom, 1749 (The Lutheran Hymnal #84:5)