“I have something for you", my friend said. I met her in the church parking lot after services to get whatever it was that she had. It was the Sunday before advent. She pulled a box from her truck and said, “This was my mom’s. I thought you would like it and I want you to have it.”
I knew immediately even before I saw it, that it was a treasure. My friend and I both grieve the loss/separation from our mothers due to illness. While it is more recent for her, I remember well what it was like to let go of things that belonged to my mother. This was a special moment. She handed me a hand carved wooden base and told me the pieces were in the box. She said, “They were handmade by a dear friend.”
When I got in the car, I couldn’t stand it and decided to peek. I opened the pretty box and gingerly unwrapped one of the pieces. It was a stained glass Nativity figure. It. was. beautiful.
I re-wrapped it and carefully placed it back in the box, mentally committing to finding the perfect spot when I got home.
The previous month had been a whirlwind of activity. We had just hosted a very large family gathering and among other things, I had been carefully planning the services for advent, preparing my home for the onslaught of family, and spending a lot of time decorating, preparing my antique booths for the Christmas season. In the midst of all that, some very disappointing news had come our way and my heart was grieving. I was overwhelmed.
I couldn’t explain the sense of urgency I felt to find a place for my new treasure. I tried three different spots before settling on the location of the focal point of our home–our fireplace mantel. It fit perfectly. I arranged and rearranged until it was finally right. And then...(ignoring the piles of Christmas decorations, the leftover family gathering mess, and the newly granddaughter-created toy chaos that had overcome the room), I sat on the couch and just stared at this gift. Each piece is uniquely designed yet clearly shares the same creator. I was overcome with peace as my heart contemplated this physical gift that was becoming a visual reminder of the greatest Gift– Jesus. Prince of Peace. God with Us, Emmanuel.
In spite of my annual attempt to have a less stressful advent season, this Christmas season, as usual, came with much hustle and bustle. There were children’s programs, extra gatherings, changed plans, tense moments, extra rehearsals, absent people, unexpected partings, people messes, broken things, happy times, sad times, and well…just life. Life is predictably unpredictable. Each day I have found myself repeatedly gazing up at this treasure on my mantel. Pausing. Listening. Hearing His voice remind me that He is here. He is with me. He is my peace. He is MY creator. He (and not me) knows the Master plan. My God is THE artist, THE provider. No matter what circumstances and chaos surround me, He is MY Savior–simply, yet masterfully gifted to absolutely undeserving me.
I am so thankful my friend did not put this box of treasure in her attic. I am grateful she passed it to me. I am beyond thankful for what/Who it symbolizes. Oh how I have been blessed by this beauty-out-of-tragedy present that was gifted to me. I am so glad I opened the box.
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Amy lives in Sedalia, MO where she serves as worship leader in her church and as a board member for Just Jump Ministries, Inc.
