Matthew 13:51-53 Treasures - Old and New - Day 14

I came upon these verse somewhat accidentally as I was reading the 13th chapter of Matthew in my personal devotional time. Jesus tells his crowd that the scribes are like masters of a house who bring out treasures - what is old and what is new. I thought to myself - what wisdom this is for us. In this day of worship wars, of conflicts in congregations of praise bands and altar decor, we would do well to heed the wisdom of what is old and what is new.

We are fortunate at St. Peter's to have such a rich heritage exampled in our architecture, our liturgy, our music, our paraments, and our lives. The rich treasure of tradition here binds us together as we continue to strive for peace with justice remembering Bill Daniels and his long time example of faithfulness to peace making. We embrace the colors of the world in our worship as the christian symbols remind us of the Christian faith as displayed on our altar.


But we also have rich newness. Our praises rise to God with the aid of guitar, drums, harp, rainsticks, chant, choir, anthems, solos, psaltery, dulcimer, flutes, organ, and other instruments. The words we speak and pray come alive through images projected on the wall in an unobtrusive way. Liturgical movement calls for a response in us and we sing, Come, O come Emmanuel.

I love this discovery of the old and new treasures that lead our hearts to praise God in our corporate worship. Sometimes though, the marriage of the two is difficult. Some of us like to hold on to traditions as if they were the solid rock on which we stand! Michael Hawn, a well known musician and lecturer, once said, "A church with amnesia is in bad shape." So the strength of the old needs to be just that - a strength. Hawn also said, "Each generation needs to add a new stanza to the hymn." Our own Daryl Hollinger has always said that our music and worship need to reflect our theology - and so we bring newness into our community as we embrace many cultures and news songs.

I'd like to suggest that the great joy I sense when we worship together is in part because of the faithful blending of treasures - old and new. The Holy Spirit takes these offerings and wakens our hearts to praise God. How marvelous! Today I pray that you will find these gifts in your homes also. It will truly make Advent season a time of remembering and creating.


Reflections and Journaling
Blessings - What are the "old treasures" in your life that bless you. What traditions in the church do you celebrate? What traditions give strength to you and your family?


Challenge - Where does the meeting of "old and new" in the life of the church cause you frustration? What are some ways in which you can embrace the new and the old? How does the holiday season bring dificulty in blending the old and the new?


Prayer: God of the past, present and future. If only we could embrace you in many ways. Too often we have a narrow definition of who you are and we stick to it, afraid to try new ways to meet you. Open our eyes, ears, hearts, hands, and feet to the treasures you have in store for us. In the name of Jesus who quoted the ancient prophets and broke the laws, Amen.