In 1903 the world heard, for the first time, the melodies of the song Toyland.  Made popular by Doris Day in 1964, the song invites one into the dreamy world of toys as treasures which fill you with joy and happiness. Unfortunately the song names a hard truth, once you leave you can mever return again.  While the song implies growing up causes one to leave the places of happiness and joy found in youth, I wonder with you today, if this is the truth.  Can we really never go back to the treasures that make our heart glad?

I am sure this is how the Isrelites in exile felt, wondering or believing they would never be allowed back to their place of joy  and identity. Would they ever get to see the treasures of the temple and artifacts of worship.   God had sent prophets to tell them it would happen, but after waiting so long, how do you keep believing?

Then one day an announcement is made.  King Cyrus of Persia has decreed.  You shall not only go home but I will help you rebuild what was destroyed, and I will return the treasures that had been taken.   Going home is no longer a dreamy lullaby  it is a reality.  It won’t look the same and rebuilding will take hard work, but going home to their place of joy is now possible. Seeing the treasures that shape their identity is real. 

Going home from exile to the places of joy is always a sweet sweet treasure, especially when exile has been so long that the memories of what was good start to fade.  So maybe, the best treasure in the is to go home to a world of joy and for us it is the little baby in the manger, a jewel on the crown, a treasure who calls us home to joy.

Let us pray, God help us to see treasures not as material goods or wealth but rather the last bountiful relationships we have with you and others.  In Jesus name.  Amen  

Challenge for the day.  Read Ezra 1:1-11.  Take a picture of the word Treasure and share to #messiahlutheranpc #signs4life #AdventPhoto