This Christmas our family will gather around the Christmas tree, with its multi-colored lights and beautiful ornaments, and once again take part in that most ancient of holiday rituals – The Seeking of the PIckle!
We have an ornament, shaped like a pickle, which we hide in the tree each year. Before anyone can open a present, the pickle must be found. To encourage an enthusiastic search Ana wraps the pickle in a twenty dollar bill. In addition to the money, whoever finds the pickle gets to give the first gift and to hide the pickle next year.
I know it’s a silly tradition, but we have so much fun! It’s hilarious to watch our boys, who are both 6’5”, crawling under the tree, while their wives and our daughter shove them out of the way to get to the pickle first. The Seeking of the Pickle is a great way to kick off Christmas Day!
Christmas is a time for seeking. We seek just the right present, the perfect tree, or sometimes just a silly pickle. We seek friendship and family, someone to love, and kisses under the mistletoe. Unfortunately, in our frantic holiday rush, we sometimes forget to seek the most important gift of all – the Babe in the Manger, our Savior and King.
This has been the case from the very beginning. Not only was there no room for Jesus in the inn, but there was no room for Him in most peoples’ hearts. In search of worldly riches, power and fame, they missed out on the Pearl of Great Price.
There were some who sought Him, however. Shepherds left their flocks and Wise Men journeyed far from home to seek the baby Jesus. Theirs was not a half-hearted quest. They left all to seek the King.
We too must do the same. We must not let anything stand in our way. We must spend daily time in God’s Word and in prayer, pouring our very souls into the quest. And our search will not be in vain, for God promises, “you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV).
This Christmas why not follow shepherds example and “seek the Lord while he may be found…” (Isaiah 55:6).? Seek Him with all your heart everyday and every moment of everyday. Then, like the Wise Men and shepherds of old, “spread the word” everywhere you go, so all who hear may also go and seek the King!
Happy Sabbath and Merry Christmas!