The other day, I stumbled across THIS song that brought up a deep, core memory for me.

I could clearly recall the moment: I was sitting in the front row of a small, old chapel at Calvary Temple’s Red Rock Bible Camp, sitting on a hard, uncomfortable wooden chair. The room smelled musty — the smell of damp wood mixed with dust—and the lights were dim. My mom was up front, playing the piano and leading the congregation in song. Along with the clarity of her voice, I could hear the gentle hum of other voices, all of us singing softly in unison. Over and over, we sang:

"Lord, You are more precious than silver
Lord, You are more costly than gold
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds
And nothing I desire compares to You."

At the time, I had no real understanding of the value of silver, gold, or diamonds (and maybe I still don’t), but something about those words stuck with me. I believed them then, even though I didn’t fully grasp what they meant.

As I listened to that same song again the other day, something shifted. The song took on new meaning as memories began to flood my mind. It was like I was watching a movie of my past, replaying moments of pain, sadness, and heartache. A wave of emotions hit me: grief — but also overwhelming thankfulness.

As those painful memories played, I also remembered how God has worked in and through my life because of those very struggles. The words of the song suddenly felt alive, but in a new way. I could sing this song, in a much deeper sense than when I was young. I not only knew that Jesus is my treasure, but I could tell you why with stories that are deeply personal. During this Christmas season I am reminded; nothing can heal me like He does. Nothing gives me hope like He does. No one loves me the way He does. And there is no peace like the peace that comes from being in His presence.

Looking back now, I realize that when I first sang that song in that tiny chapel, I had no idea what walking with the Lord would mean to me as my life unfolded. And even now, I don’t know what He will carry me through in the next 20 years, but I trust that He will.

I often wonder what Mary may have been thinking as she watched Jesus throughout her life. I wonder if the words spoken about Jesus by many in Luke 2– of the Angel, of Simeon, Anna and even the words of Mary’s own song – began to mean something different – or more to her over time.