It’s been a long time since I was a little kid, but I still vividly remember the excitement of Christmas as a child. The decorations hung. The tree decorated. The cookies we had to eat (Mom could feed the whole block Christmas cookies for the entire season). The Christmas cartoon specials on TV that are still watched today. The special Christmas church services where they let you play with fire as you dripped wax in the church sanctuary while everyone would sing Silent Night. And then, of course, the presents. I can remember not being able to sleep Christmas Eve in excitement at the toys that would await discovery the next morning. Christmas through the eyes of a child (at least mine) is magical, full of wonder, mystery and promise — and it occurred to me this week — that is exactly how Christmas ought to feel.
I know Christmas has become a commercialized behemoth today. Some might long for simpler times and a more focused perspective on the Nativity, which would be a good thing, for certain. But perhaps, just perhaps… all the glitter, glitz, gifts and goodies serve a purpose to remind us of the absolute wonder of Christmas. Emmanuel, God With Us… A Child born on Christmas who was a baby, yet God. One who lay wrapped in simple cloth who had gladly laid aside robes of Royalty. The cry of the Infant who had once commanded the Universe into existence. A Savior laying in a manger on Christmas who would one day hang on a cross for all Humanity.
Today I am pondering that we could all probably benefit from a little child-like wonder over Christmas. As a child stares wide-eyed at gifts beneath a tree; we ought to gaze in awe at shepherds kneeling before the gift of the Christ-child. As a child faces a sleepless Christmas Eve over the promise of Christmas morning, perhaps we ought to be reawakened over the promise of the incredulous incarnation. As we give gifts to loved ones, maybe we could remember the Greatest Gift ever given, and marvel at God’s love expressed in the Birth of His Son.
Luke tells us, So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom. You will never get into God’s kingdom unless you enter it like a child!” Luke 18:16-17 CEV Do you know what Jesus’ point was? We need to trust him — just like a child trusts. We need to see Jesus, who He is as God and what He has done for us as Savior — through the eyes of child. The wonder… the awe… the magical mystery of promise as we show complete and utter trust in His Goodness and Grace.
So, this Christmas, could you lay aside your ponderous adulthood for a moment and let your eyes grow wide at the sight of God’s Provision born in Bethlehem. Savor the moment when salvation from sins became a possibility. Remember, and never forget… the wonder of Christmas.
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