”Lost & Broken - Part 1: Found” Advent Devotion for December 14, 2021

Lost & Broken - PART 1: FOUND

Written by Barbara Nelson, Financial Secretary

Read by Bill Anciaux

 

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 

--Micah 5:4

I quite often wear a small nativity scene necklace throughout the year. It’s about an inch tall, made of silver with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the outline of a stable. The North Star overhead is centered around a small crystal. Although not expensive, it’s a nice necklace. I wear it throughout the year because I believe that the spirit of Christmas should be alive all year round, especially in our current times.

A couple of years ago, I lost this precious necklace. As much as I searched, I could not find it. I knew it HAD to be in my house, but where was the unanswered question. Occasionally, as time progressed, I’d resume the search, especially when Christmas time rolled around. But eventually, I ended up buying another nativity necklace; it just wasn’t the same. Finally, one day, about five years later, I was cleaning out a desk drawer that hadn’t been used for a very long time. Lo and behold, my necklace appeared! It was like the angels appearing miraculously to the shepherds (only without the holy music and pronouncement that the Christ child had been born). I was so happy! I had found my nativity necklace and could now wear it again.

We all experience times in our lives where we lose sight of Jesus, just like I lost sight of my necklace years ago. Sometimes, it takes years to find Him again. But one thing I know is that Jesus never stops looking for us when we are what’s lost. He will search until He finds us where we are, huddled in our dusty corner of the desk drawer. He’ll polish us up to shine like new in Him. Never lose hope.

 

Father God, we are safe in You. You see us in our hidden places, you rescue us from our lost ways. You polish us like new, so that we can shine like the North star. Thank you, Father. Amen