Miner Key

Pilot Knob Lutheran                 Miner Key                      12/13/2023

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:19-21I recently asked the question in my church choir why all the Christmas songs are in a minor key. ‘They were looking for a diamond,’ was the response. I didn’t get it at first, but it sunk in after a few minutes. I thought about this response a little more and looked into some Christmas hymns and no, they’re not all minor keys. But the response stuck with me and has an element of truth to it. When a miner digs for gold or gems or whatever they’re digging for, they dig with expectation and excitement. With every swing of the pickaxe, they have hope it will reveal the treasure they’re searching for bringing them great wealth and security.The same can be said today. Many people are searching for a “treasure” and with every dollar spent, every hour worked, and every like; tweet; snap, the emptiness still remains. The “treasure” seems continuously unattainable. Security and wealth remain out of reach.The only true treasure that brings security, wealth, peace, justice, acceptance, and love is Christ. We are reminded in Isaiah 33:6 that Christ is our foundation and stability. He is knowledge and wisdom and salvation. He is the highest and most valuable treasure anyone can have because He is our salvation.Maybe the solemn, minor sounding accompaniment to the Christmas hymns are just a way the composers paint the tone of the time; the sound of longing of the Israelites to be freed from bondage. It is the same accompaniment of today, longing. Longing to be accepted. Longing to be the best, longing for something more, longing to be free. This longing can only be filled by Christ.This time of year, we spend more than we should, eat more than we should, and race to buy the latest and the best. We often find ourselves focused on the “things” of Christmas instead of the meaning of Christmas. Take a moment to pause and reflect on your own life. As a miner lives and breathes the treasure he seeks, do you live and breathe the treasure that lives inside you? Your heart is the center of your being. Does Christ live there? Is His salvation your biggest treasured possession? Does it catch the eye of others as you go about each day? Society has what is called FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Will you be the one to help them not miss out on the richest treasure they will ever receive?Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”                                                                             Rachel Snitzer – Arce 

Pr. Bob Snitzer

By the Way: Today: 3:45 Confirmation class. Sunday 24, 9:00 AM Christmas Eve Candlelight service. Sermon: God’s Promise               10:15 No Sunday school.   January 7, 2-3:30   

GriefShare. Please tell others. For more information go to: https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup or contact Pr. Bob or Sue Reese.

~ Past communiques and sermons can be read and heard on our website: www.pilotknob.org and Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/PilotKnobLutheran/