by Darcia Kunkel

Does Not Glitter.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 English Standard Version

I usually leave my Christmas tree, lights, and decorations up through Epiphany. This year only the outdoor lights remain, due to a vacation, along with a very dry, brittle, tree that needed to be put out of its misery.

This angel is one of the fragile, glittery, ornaments that requires special attention when packing up for storage. It was an expensive gift given to my daughter years ago by my sister-in-law. Though it is shiny, and beautiful, it is not the most valuable bauble on the tree. The treasured decorations are those that are handmade by my children, and there are several which represent special memories in our life.

The wise men traveled a great distance to see the Christ child, and brought expensive gifts to lavish upon the baby. Jesus was lying in a feeding trough surrounded by humble parents, and stinky animals, yet he was the gift God had promised for the salvation of all.

I am reminded of a quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Fellowship of the Ring:

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost.”

The wise men probably did not expect God’s son to be cradled in a manger, with a lineage of seemingly humble origins, but they knew they had found the Messiah. He would not be a rich, flashy, warrior king. Christ’s true worth is found in God’s plan of salvation, not in the opulence of the vessel through which it was delivered.

Lord, may I always be reminded that the glam and glitter of this world is fleeting, and is not where real treasure lies. Christ represents true gold, through his sacrifice and redemption.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado