Next on the
missing list was a checkbook. In searching, it is always best to
look where you last remember using it. The last recollection led to
a tote bag. A quick search came up unsuccessful, and only after
further searching elsewhere and a second visit to the tote bag was
the lost found.
As the days went
by, more and more items were coming up missing. There was entirely
too much “Christmas clutter”. It got to the point where I
started making a list of all the “lost and found” items to write
about. When there finally was a few spare minutes to write, guess
what? The list was missing! For the most part, everything
eventually turned up, with the exception of one.
Each year, on the
planter next to our front steps, we put up a metal Nativity Scene.
It caught my eye several years ago while shopping at Hobby Lobby, and
Bert even constructed two handy wooden platforms to make setup
easier. When it came time to retrieve the pieces from our garage
this year, the characters found their places after a quick shower to
wash the dust off.
Baby Jesus sits
between Joseph and Mary, with a beautiful angel standing guard
overhead. To the right of the Nativity family there are spots for
three wise men to stand presenting their gifts. The only problem
was, only two could be found. Over the course of the last couple of
weeks, we've diligently searched the corners of the garage to no
avail. Wise man #3 is no where to be found, and it is now Christmas
Eve.
Actually, when
you read the account of the Magi in Matthew 2 it doesn't really
indicate there were three wise men. They are only referenced as a
group, but because there were three gifts of gold, frankincense and
myrrh, tradition places three of them in most Nativity scenes.
As time went on
and the wise man remained missing, a message resonated through his
absence. When you think about it, there is an overwhelming lack of
“wise men” in our world today. Rest assured, there are a lot of
smart people, but good old common sense wisdom seems to be up and
missing. The wisest thing the Magi did was seek after Jesus, the one
born king of the Jews. They saw His star in the east and came ready
to worship.
Make time this
Christmas to join with the Magi in wisely seeking Jesus. While
you're at it, join the angels in giving Glory to God in the highest
and the shepherds in spreading the Word about the Baby who was born
to one day die on the cross as our Savior. When the Christmas lights
go out at the end of the day, take time, as Mary did, to treasure up
all these things and ponder them in your heart.
