![]() (This article is part of the Wonder-filled Christmas Series) The story of the shepherds found in Luke 2. These shepherds are out in the fields in the middle of the dark night watching their sheep, when angels appear to them, and God’s bright glory shines about them, and they give the shepherds the announcement that Jesus Christ has been born! It’s hard for me to even imagine this scene, let alone try to explain it! (Read more in the previous post.) After the angels leave and go into heaven, the shepherds go to Bethlehem where they seek out this newborn Savior. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:17-18 NIV) Wonder and amazement swept through the hearts of those listening as the shepherds told them about Jesus. After everything the Shepherds had seen and heard, they were filled with wonder and that wonder was contagious! When they shared the news, they also shared the wonder and amazement! And I believe that same wonder and amazement can fill the hearts of those hearing the good news about Jesus thousands of years later! “…A Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:7 NIV) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV) The Shepherds were so affected by what they had seen and heard, and the fact that everything lined up with what the angels had told them, that they returned to their flocks and pastures glorifying and praising God. (Luke 2:20) Wonder leads to worship. When I let my heart be filled with the wonder and miracle of Christmas, it begins to sing and cheer! God is bigger than us! He saw we needed Him! And he came… He came to be God with us! No distance was too great, no effort too much… He came to save us! And the wonder quickly turns to worship… if I follow the kids’ lead, take a moment, and enjoy. What is filling you with wonder this Christmas?
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![]() (This article is part of the Wonder-filled Christmas Series) In the last post I shared how I am looking to be filled with wonder this Christmas. So what has been filling me with wonder lately? The story of the shepherds found in Luke 2. These shepherds are out in the fields in the middle of the dark night watching their sheep, when angels appear to them, and God’s bright glory shines about them, and they give the shepherds the announcement that Jesus Christ has been born! It’s hard for me to even imagine this scene, let alone try to explain it! If we apply the tips from the previous post, we should… 1. Follow the Kids. How would a child imagine this passage? Would they hear the sheep bleating? Would the stars be twinkling over their heads and then, all of the sudden, angels! Glorious Light! Praises to God! Angels announcing the birth of a Savior! Peace on Earth! 2. Take a moment. Let’s pause and let this paint itself on the canvas of our mind. Let’s not hurry on to the “point”… let’s give a bit of time for the wonder of everything that is happening to gather in our imaginations as well as in our hearts. Let’s go outside and look at the night sky tonight and recall the story afresh in our minds. 3. Enjoy. Let us smile. Let us giggle. Let us let the tears come to our eyes. Let us sing our favorite song, or a new song of our own, or, perhaps, the song of the angels themselves: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV) What’s filling you with wonder this Christmas? ![]() He wouldn’t budge. My son was three years old and we had just dropped off my daughter at Kindergarten. I was leading him on the walk back to our house, but he wouldn’t budge. I tugged a few times and implored him to move before I turned around to see why he had stopped in his tracks. As I looked at him I saw that his little face was looking up at a tree and as my gaze followed his I saw why. It was this tree’s “moment.” It was the middle of autumn and the brightly colored leaves were falling off this tree like snow. Innumerable leaves falling gently down. Falling, falling softly onto the grass. We stood there, two statues, absorbed in this phenomenon we had happened into. There was no one else there, everything felt quiet and still, and I was filled with… wonder. When was the last time you were filled with wonder? It doesn’t seem like it happens as much to me now as it did when I was a child. But, I have decided that I want it to! I want to be filled with wonder and awe in my spiritual life. I want my thoughts of God to be reverent, lofty and full of awe. So what does that mean during Christmas? The Christmas season is so busy with events, errands and to-do’s to get “to-done!” As a mom, I make Christmas happen at my house, and I love doing it, but with all the responsibility and activity I find it can be easy to misplace wonder at this time of year. When I think of that moment with my son watching the tree, there are a few things that can help me discover the wonder again this season. 1. Follow the Kids. Children seem more tuned into wonder and awe than adults. We need to pay attention to what they are paying attention to and let them lead us. 2. Take a moment. Wonder takes a bit of time to gather in our hearts. We have to slow down a minute to really let it form in us. 3. Enjoy. We have to let ourselves enjoy it! Our Lord delights to give us good gifts. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8 NIV What is filling you with wondering and making your heart sing this Christmas season? (I’ll be sharing more on wonder as we approach Christmas!) This article is part of the WONDERFUL Christmas series |
AuthorJeri writes about her spiritual journey as she lives out her everyday life. Archives
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