Awe and Wonder?

Attending a very traditional church as a child brings back memories of sunshine streaming through stained glass windows depicting images of Jesus at different points in His life. The high, towering ceilings made God seem so far greater than everyday life. I loved those moments when I would sit quietly and “take it all in.” The reality of the greatness of Someone who I believe in and trust touches my heart with wonder and awe even today.

I recently read a quote from Candace Cameron Bure, “Don’t forget Jesus at Christmas. I love Christmas season and Advent because I love Jesus. The idea of forgetting this important part of Christmas might sound silly, but it’s easy to do. Our world is loud and demanding and rarely applauds silence, solitude, or reflection, yet we need them desperately.”

Jesus is not only “this important part of Christmas”…He is the central focus of Christmas. There would be no Christmas without Jesus Christ, yet our culture seems to have forgotten this fact.  We’ve forgotten the most important Person of the season.

So this week, take time to find a quiet place and meditate on this description of Jesus, “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) 

Almighty God. What is the definition of Almighty? “Related to a deity: having complete power and authority; omnipotent.” The next time you consider Christmas, remember that you are celebrating and worshipping the God of the Universe who chose to come to earth and live among us so we could know Him. His unlimited power and greatness are not diminished by this act of total benevolence and love…He was willing to be born a human, model the perfect life He desired by living it, and then dying a gruesome death to pay the penalty for our sin and rejection of His will. Finally, He rose again to life so we can live with Him eternally if we believe.

May we worship Him together in awe of His greatness now and always… Almighty God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and nothing less!  May we share a Christmas celebration filled with His Presence!