The Wonder of Christmas

Remember what Christmas looked like through a child's eyes? I do. I remember being totally swept up in the sights and sounds of the most wonderful time of the year. I would lay for hours on the floor watching our silver tinsel revolving Christmas tree slowly turn. The shiny blue balls would glow in the dim light and I would dream of Christmas goodies, gifts, and all the fun that was sure to come.

We always attended the Christmas Eve service at our church. I loved the candlelight, the poinsettias, everyone bundled in their winter coats, and the hush that came over the congregation as we ended the evening with "Silent Night". It was at those times that I first noticed it.  There was a noticeable feeling deep inside. Something unexplainable. I call it wonder.
 
The dictionary defines wonder as: a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.

There is something mysterious, epic, and yes wonder-ful that calls to us from deep within during this season. Though we are celebrating a birth that happened some 2000 years ago, the enormity of what occurred must not be overlooked. Everything in Heaven and on Earth shifted the moment Jesus was born. You can almost hear the rumbling and shaking of all of Heaven as the ancient doors open to reveal the King of Glory.  The unexplainable love in the Father's heart for all of His children was poured out that night in this gift from Heaven to Earth called 'Jesus'. 


All of the Heavenly Host were waiting and watching for this day....the day when the Father's plan would finally be set in motion. You can literally feel the excitement in their proclamation to the terrified group of shepherds as they joyfully shouted, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Whose favor were they shouting about? The Father's favor! Jesus came to bring many sons to glory (Heb. 2:10), and in doing so, He made a way for us to be fully restored back to the Father. He positioned us for favor and set us on a path that goes from glory to glory.

Though this whole Christmas story unfolded long ago, my story with the Father is still unfolding.  Your story with Him is still unfolding, too. I have an amazing story because the Father gave His Son that I would be restored back to His family. That for me is beautiful, mysterious, and inexplicable.  That is the wonder of Christmas.

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Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. - Hamilton Wright Mabie