All season, I've been hoping that my schedule would slow down a bit, and I'd have time to write a little more on this lovely time of year. Every morning, I think I'm going to be able to squeeze in some time for writing down my musings, and every night, I drag myself into bed and think, "Tomorrow..." Well finally, after a whirlwind of a month, I have the morning to myself to sit and ponder, and enjoy the quietness before the the final day of craziness that is this time of year.
Wonder
Awe. Admiration. Fascination. Surprise. Astonishment. Amazement. Ponder. Think about. Meditate on. Muse on. Puzzle over. Marvel. Be amazed. Stand in awe.
I've been thinking a lot about wonder this month. Having grown up in a Christian household, I feel like it is sometimes an uphill battle trying to pull myself out of the familiarity of Christmas, and let myself be amazed. Sure, I know that Christ came down to earth in the form of a baby, in order to some day sacrifice himself for my sins so that I have the opportunity to join Him in Heaven. I can tell you the "real meaning" of Christmas, but how often do I wonder at it? How often do I wonder and gasp at the fact that the God of the universe who has absolutely no need for me, chose to rescue me and love me? How often does this fact take my breath away?
My mom and I were talking the other day about the gods of Greek Mythology, and how different they are from the God that we know to be real. The Greek gods of old lived on Mt. Olympus, high above, and removed from the people that they ruled. The gods were moody, and often unpredictable. If someone on earth did something to anger them, it was fully within their character to exact revenge on that individual. Now take this picture of deity, and contrast it with the God who chose to leave his throne of glory and come live among the sinful and lost souls of humanity. Jesus came to be our Immanuel- God With Us! He doesn't just tolerate us- He is for us! He's with us, He's not distant, and removed. While it was fully within God's right to inflict judgement on us for the ways that we had wronged Him, He chose instead to rescue us and to love us in ways that we really don't have the capacity to comprehend. That is something to wonder about! The Bible says that His favor is resting on us! That is something to wonder about! In a world fraught with despair, darkness, and desperation, Jesus came "to guide our feet into the path of peace." That is something to wonder about!
Take a look at some of the words of these traditional Christmas songs. We sing them every year, and if you're not careful, you could completely overlook the message of hope, and the call to wonder that is within them.
... Let nothing you dismay!
Remember, Christ, our savior was born on Christmas day
to save us all from Satan's power when we have gone astray.
Oh tidings of comfort and joy!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees...
Come, and behold Him, born the King of Angels.
Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end."
Wonder with me, won't you, friend?
~Jasmine
