Finding the Wonder of Jesus
by Holly Holton
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
When the angel had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known.’ Luke 2:15 NIV
Hi, my name is Holly and I am a recovering Christmas present addict.
I absolutely love this time of year, but sometimes it can be for the wrong reasons. In a season full of presents, food and family I can easily miss the wonderment of what we are actually celebrating.
When did the “magic” of Christmas replace the glory of God turned man? When did I start seeking after the presents and not my Savior?
When the angel had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known. Luke 2:15 NIV
Oh, to be like those shepherds! They had so much excitement that the long awaited Savior had finally come, they dropped everything and immediately went to Him. The only focus they had was on their King, not on their to-do lists.
They didn’t have the finest clothes; they didn’t prepare the finest meals or bring the greatest gifts. They brought themselves and a heart eager to love.
Isn’t that what Jesus wants from us?
We all know that Christmas is more than lists, gifts and to do’s, but somehow we find ourselves without the wonder of Jesus. And if I find myself without the wonder of Jesus, then most likely I am passing that legacy down to my children.
What I am spending my time doing, shows what is most important to me.
Living in wonder of Jesus is so simple, yet I so often miss it.
Did you know that everyone is a single cell for a brief moment after conception? Can you imagine Jesus, who cannot be contained even in our wildest imaginations, was contained inside a single cell?
That’s how much you are loved.
What if during this season we celebrate the birth of our Savior like the shepherds?
Decorate! Spend time with family! But don’t let that be where your excitement is. Presents are great but don’t let that hold your expectation. Maybe pray and ask God what is the one thing you can give up this season to simplify and focus on the one thing Jesus really wants from us… to come and be amazed by Him.
Maybe Christmas is a time of loneliness, or busyness or something in between. Maybe it’s time to change the way we “do” Christmas. Jesus wants us to be His and to live in anticipation of what is to come.
Read Luke 2 and sit in amazement that you are loved so much!
Lord, Thank You so much that You loved us so much that You left heaven, in all its glory, to come down and walk this earth full of pain and brokenness. Lord, help me to be filled with wonder of your love and live in anticipation of all that is to come. In Jesus name, Amen.
© 2016 by Holly Holton. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 27 December 2016.
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