Child–Wonder

Have you noticed we don’t have to teach a child wonder? Children own wonder.

And so can we. . .

Wonder and astonishment belong to the Christmas story. It’s too wonderful to outgrow.

What would it take to walk out the Advent season with wide-eyed wonder?

To understand, to really know, we are an important part of the breathtaking story that took place on night divine when Christ came to earth to live and die for mankind, for me-kind.  From creche to cross just the way the prophets foretold long, long before.

Go figure or stand in awe.

We claim to know much more than our ancestors – somehow it has diminished our ability to marvel. We want to understand it all and think we do, but in the process, we lose the child-wonder, don’t you think?  I want to look past the earthiness and notice the loftiness to be struck with awesome details.

So, consider with me the magnitude of the real people in history, holy as they are, but a flesh and blood nativity traveling seventy miles on a donkey to arrive at just the right place for just the appointed time and yet no room except within the holy womb . . .  on a silent night.

Can you see Joseph’s proud countenance of approval, looking down on his exhausted virgin bride, encouraging her to give a mighty push upon the straw bed he so carefully prepared to expel the holy offspring? The appointed one who played the huge role of caring for the chosen mother and the Messiah baby to become a Messiah man. I like him.

Can you see the frightened expression on the shepherds who left their sheep to find a Lamb, and the sage wisdom of the royal visitors who are fascinated under a canopy of planets, looking to the stars to find the promise Isaiah spoke of. . . .?

And can you hear the angels praising high while knowing Bethlehem would pave the road to Golgotha?

As we pass by a nativity scene, let’s pause and add ourselves for a moment – not among the plastic tradition that gets packed away every year, but within the awesome and everlasting message of the manger that can stop us in our Advent tracks to believe in wide-eyed wonder.

Every one of us has a story and it’s on the pages of this one.

When faith and sight collide – it makes for wonder.

And when they saw they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard were astounded and wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:17, 18