wonderful night

(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?

---