When I was a little girl I remember having those things that I REALLY, REALLY wanted for Christmas. The idea of being content wasn’t even a thought bubble in my little head. This past week, Pastor Bill Towne talked about learning to be content by digging deeper into our desires and confront what we find in our hearts. You know what I REALLY, REALLY wanted this year? I wanted a new nativity set.

I saw one at my son Matt’s house[pictured below] and honestly, I coveted it’s beauty and detail. The fact is that I have one now. It is pictured above and was made using a five-dollar set of plastic figures purchased on sale after Christmas one year. Then Rob, using things he found in the woods behind our house, lovingly made this stable. We have had it for years and years. It is precious to me, really. What is it about wanting shiny and new?

So I asked Matt where he had gotten his set, and he shared it was a Costco find many years ago. Of course anything you find at Costco, is not necessarily guaranteed to ever be found there again. So I searched online and in person and the most beautiful ones I found were priced between one hundred and three hundred dollars! That’s right, I couldn’t believe it either. Nope! Couldn’t bring myself to justify a purchase like that.

 

Even though, in my heart, I still wanted to somehow find a new set somewhere, I had no idea that Pastor Bill would speak directly to me this past Sunday. He had really great scriptures like this one:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2

Then there was this passage from Philippians 4: 11-12

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Later at home, I had the opportunity to think deeper about this desire of mine. As I read my bible and considered the last scripture he had shared the Lord began to speak to me.

“My heart is not proud, [David speaking], Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” Psalms 131:1-2

That’s when the light bulb went on over my head. I don’t need a physical representative of what is clearly mine now. I have Christ within me, not just on a table, but in my heart. Not just at Christmas, but all year round. Thank you, Jesus for opening my eyes to the truth of how very rich I am. I’m praying that you will find the reality of this precious gift in your own heart this year.