When they asked John the Baptist who he was, he said he was NOT the Messiah. His job was to point them to the Messiah––just like these pictures of toys remind us of the toys themselves. John's job was to point people to the Messiah. That's our job as Christians too.
When we store up treasure we should gather something that is really important. Love is a treasure. The Bible tells us that love is the greatest of all treasures. We don't have to hunt for love. It is inside of us at all times. We don't have to hide love or guard it. Love is meant to be shared with others. We give love and we also receive love that comes to us from our parents, grandparents, and friends. Keep love in your heart. It is your greatest treasure.
In the Bible Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34). The things that are really important are not the things we have, but the love we feel in our heart. It is love that comes from God and it is ours to give to others. Where is the treasure? It is in your heart.
We still prepare for Christmas as a way to honor God's Son, Jesus. When you prepare for Christmas by baking cookies, decorating your house and enjoying the lights of Christmas, think about "the true light" (1:9) that can fill you with his love.
Jesus told a story about a very rich man. He had a huge farm; and it was a very good farm. His fields and orchards had lots of wheat, lots of figs, lots of grapes, vegetables––much, much more than one man could eat! What do you think the rich man could have done with all that food? [Sell it, give it to the hungry, etc. Accept all answers].
Things do not bring us happiness and a good life. Exploring and putting your energies into being "rich toward God" is important. Learn more about God, pray to God, and enjoy all the beautiful things of nature he has provided for us. Be a collector of God thoughts and see how many thoughts and lessons about God you can add to your collection.
We are cautioned that we should not fill our lives with too many things. We can be so focused on accumulating treasures that we don't have room or time to think about the treasures that God offers us. And, these treasures, such as love, peace and joy, are the real treasures that allow us to grow and become sturdy and strong.
Next Jesus tells us how we are to pray for ourselves. “Give us day by day our daily bread” (v. 3). Jesus does not mean we should just pray for bread and maybe peanut butter! He means we can pray for the things we need in order to live as God wants us to live––like water to drink or a house to live in. We trust God to provide those things every day; but we do not make them the things we are most concerned about.
Jesus teaches us that we may call God "Father," a name that makes us feel like God's children - a name that makes us feel loved and cared for. He teaches that God's name is holy. This is a word that means sacred or given the very most respect.
When we pray to God and use the name, Father, it reminds us that God is like a loving father who will protect us and take care of us. It is a name that helps us know how to talk to God when we pray. It is a name that helps us find our way when we need direction. It is the most holy of names. When we live our lives with honor, we are honoring God's name.