The first jewel is the PEARL OF GREAT PRICE – Jesus.
Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearls of great value went and sold all that he has and bought it.”
The second jewel is the SAPPHIRE
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask God, who gives to all men (and women) generously and without reproaching, and it will be given to him.”
Oh, do women need wisdom during the Christmas season. So many decisions to make – so many people to TRY and keep happy.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Young Mamas – This is a time to make traditions
Mama-in-laws – This is also a time to break traditions
But young mamas remember also that the way you treat your parents especially during this holiday time is the example you are setting for your children and the way they will treat you when you are a grandma.
The third is a BASKET OF JEWELS – The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Don’t give up the Fruit of the Spirit for the Fruit of your Labors.
For the Following:
The most beautifully decorated house
Magnificent outdoor Lights
Hand made gifts for many
All kinds of baking
All uniquely wrapped gifts
Beautiful Christmas tree
Friends for dinner
The special day planned perfectly!!
Have we given up the Fruit of the Spirit and become:
Critical
Angry
Restless
Impatient
Unkind – especially to those in our home.
Selfish – thinking of what WE desire for a perfect Christmas.
Unfaithful – to basic principals of our faith, in order to celebrate Jesus’s birth
Intense
Uncontrolled – with our credit card, our temper or our eating.
In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” He did not say “He came” to make us a nervous wreck in December trying to celebrate his birth.
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said some wonderful words, that I think can be especially meaningful for women during the Christmas holiday. “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Is your burden heavy? Especially right now during these days before Christmas? If so, perhaps you are carrying more than Jesus would have you carry. Maybe some of that burden is of your own doing not his? If so, take him at his word and “Come to Him” and find rest for your souls. Don’t let the cares of the world, the delight in riches, and the desire for other things, enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Mark 4:19)
The last jewel I shall call a DIAMOND.
Our “diamond” can be found in Psalm 62: 5-6 “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”
And it is to help us in “unfulfilled expectations”. Hidden deep in the Christmas story is a message to help us with this. Sometimes our life is not as we expected it would be:
My husband has faults I never saw before marriage.
Married life just isn’t what I dreamed as a child.
I thought children were a reward from the Lord, sometimes mine feel like a punishment.
I studied years to have this position job wise, and now it seems empty.
I had such a happy marriage and never expected to be a widow so young.
I thought the senior years were supposed to be ‘golden’. Mine aren’t, I don’t have enough money to travel and am lonely.
How can the Christmas story help us with these expectations? What did the Jews expect? They expected a King who would execute justice and righteousness in the land. The reality was a baby born in the manger.
They expected a King to deliver them from Roman rule. The reality was that Jesus came to deliver them from their sins.
What did Mary expect? A messiah, but not to be the mother of the Messiah.
Can we be like Mary and say, “For with God nothing is impossible.” Luke 1:37 and verse 38, “let it be according to your word.”
Can we believe the words also of Elizabeth in Luke 1:45, “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”
If you have found the Pearl of Great Price then you claim Romans 8:28 with assurance. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”
If you don’t know the ‘Pearl of Great Price’ you can be praying this simple prayer. If you do, this will be the most joyous Christmas you have ever experienced!
References to explain this: Romans 3:23-24, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13, John 1:12, 1John 1:9, Isaiah 61:10