Jesus told stories about what was once lost being found.
Just check out the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, and his stories of a lost sheep,
a lost coin, and a lost son/brother. In every case, whenever what was lost is
found, it is cause for great celebration and rejoicing. This is the way of
God’s kingdom, Jesus says. This is the way of God’s heart toward his wayward
children.
When you think about it, most of the stories of the season
that we love so much, A Christmas Carol,
It’s a Wonderful Life . . . and even The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, pick up
on this theme of something lost or missing that is found. More often than not
the thing “gone missing” is something in the heart that prevents the person (or
Grinch) from seeing the miracle of life right before his eyes.
All of these stories seem to tell us: It isn’t necessary to
lose something of value before we begin to value, appreciate, and even treasure
it. And beginning to value the gift of
“ordinary life” right before us is the pathway to “being found” – that
place where celebration and rejoicing are waiting to begin.
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes this day that I may see your fingerprints
in everything and everyone around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
