Love, Mark

English

Pepperdine Digital Commons

LeavenVolume 17Issue 4 Theology of Hymns Article 101-1-2009A Heart's TreasureMark Lovemlove@rc.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leavenPart of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought,Theology and Philosophy of Religion CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven byan authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Kevin.Miller3@pepperdine.edu.Recommended CitationLove, Mark (2009) "A Heart's Treasure," Leaven: Vol. 17: Iss. 4, Article 10.Available at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol17/iss4/10A Heart's TreasureMARK LOVE!stoodin the still, cold, clear night air and marveled at the stars, imagining the heavenly host assembledsinging songs of joy. I think the heaviness of fatigue would have turned to a wide-eyed wonder, greaterthan any caffeine-induced buzz, had I been one of the shepherds in the field the night the angels sang.The language of the King James Version captures the feeling of the scene as the angel announces, "Behold, Ibring you glad tidings of great joy!"The shepherds did not even bother to wash the smell of their work from robes which flapped in thewind of their haste. They burned leather all the way to Bethlehem to find the glorious scene of a Savior bornin a barn. Everything smelled the same-the livestock, the swaddling clothes, the shepherds-and it wasglorious. The shepherds interrupted each other, stumbling over phrases and sentences, breathlessly reportingto Mary everything they had seen and heard. Everyone gathered in the "church" barn was amazed. Gladtidings, indeed!Mary was now used to being amazed and so was able to look around and let every word and facesink deeply into that part of her memory closest to the top. Luke says, "she treasured all these words andpondered them in her heart." They were good for goose bumps years later. The shepherds partied all day andnight, "glorifying and praising God." Some thought they were Pentecostals.This is the way with glad tidings. They become part of the heart's treasure and burst out into the airwith uninhibited praise. "A Savior is born! Who is it that can turn a field and a manger into a sacred place?Praise the God of David who has visited us even in our low estate!"As I imagined the angels singing shaped notes in the crisp cold air my mind returned to the coffeeshop where John told me he wanted to be baptized. Glad tidings of great joy! A Savior born in the heart ofa friend. Joy compounded when Meg reported the same good news. My heart is light with praise, burdenedwith treasure, overcome by the singing of the angels. I called Bruce to have him take the cold edge off ofthe baptistry water. "Praise God," he yelled into the phone. Glad tidings. For a minute I thought Bruce was aPentecostal. May this season when the angels sing cause us to live with ears strained for the hearing of gladtidings. May his word abound in the hearts of our friends and neighbors. Let the party commence!MARK LOVE IS DIRECTOR OF THE RESOURCE CENTER FOR MISSIONAL LEADERSHIP AT ROCHESTER COLLEGE INROCHESTER HILLS, MICHIGAN. HE IS A MEMBER OF LEAVEN'S EDITORIAL BOARD.1Love: A Heart's TreasurePublished by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 2009

A Heart\u27s Treasure

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A Heart\u27s Treasure

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