Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas? Do you fear you won’t ever get it back?

I grew up at the hours of darkness ages within the last century, before computers and the web, and as a toddler the wonder of Christmas arrived in a different way at our homes back then. I couldn’t wait for the Christmas catalogue to reach within the mail. It got here about ninety days before Christmas and inside were the best treasures and wonders of the universe.

Best of all, it got here with a toy section for Christmas! I still remember the smell as I turned the pages of that massive catalogue to the section called, “TOYS.” It could have easily been named the seven wonders of the world. My eyes feasted on one wonder after one other, imagining how great life could be once I got a latest … you fill within the blank.

Nothing matches the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a toddler. But the wonder of Christmas is greater than toys for youngsters. Christmas is about God becoming a toddler. Let that sink in slowly. Christmas is about God becoming a toddler. Accepting this again is the way you and I experience the wonder of Christmas again.

Many years before the birth of Jesus Christ, there was a prophecy in Isaiah 9:2 that declared the approaching of this child because the hope and wonder of this world.

Isaiah 9 says in verse 2, “The individuals who walked in darkness have seen an incredible light; those that dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” 

Then in verses 6 to 7, it says, “For to us a toddler is born, to us a son is given; and the federal government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the rise of his government and of peace there will probably be no end.”

He shall be called “wonderful”. Do you realize what this word wonderful means? It means inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration, extremely good, marvelous.

Let me say it one other way, “God is Good!” It is that this phrase that has sustained my life this past 12 months, after one of the crucial difficult years of my life. If you refuse to imagine that God is sweet, you’ll miss out on seeing the wonder of God, this Christmas season. 

Hear me on this, your life doesn’t must be easy for God to be good. God is sweet. Can you say that with me? God is sweet! Say it again out loud. Say it again, louder! See how that makes you are feeling?

Now say this to God, “Let me see your wonder, again!” Let me see and experience your extreme goodness. 

Do you need to see God? John the Beloved says you may. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, and now we have seen His glory (His wonder), glory (wonder) as of the one Son from the Father, filled with grace and truth.”

Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. Jesus is God becoming a toddler. Jesus is the embodiment of the Wonder, the Glory of God. Now say to the Lord, “Lord, let me experience your wonder through your Son, Jesus, again!”

For you who’ve been followers of Jesus Christ for a very long time, possibly the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you might have needed to pass though this past 12 months has gotten you right down to the purpose of complete and utter discouragement. Maybe you might have even lost your will to press into your faith in Jesus. The luster of His wonder has dulled within the darkness of your sorrow and sufferings. I get it. I can relate. But say to the Lord Jesus today with me this prayer:

“Jesus, I need to experience the sunshine of your wonder, again. Give me a vision of your wonder. Give me a dream within the night of your wonder. Come to me after I least expect it and wow me with visions and dreams of your wonder. Make me like a toddler, again, in my faith and trust in you.”

Don’t be afraid to say it. Don’t be afraid to trust Him to do it. Don’t be shocked when it happens. Be moved by His wonder to worship and to feel hope again. 

Maybe you might have never given your life to Jesus Christ. Maybe you might have never experienced the wonder of Jesus. Maybe you don’t even know the way dark your life is because you might have never experienced the Wonder of His light and love in your life. I need to ask you today to ask the wonder of Jesus, the sunshine of Jesus into your life. I need to ask you to say this prayer with me to Jesus:

“Jesus, I feel you’re the Son of God, the glory of God the Father within the flesh. I put my trust in you as my Wonderful Savior and my Wonderful God. Forgive me of my sin and are available into my life, Jesus, and save me. Amen.”

In Jesus, now we have received the best gift of Christmas. His Wonder exceeds our wounds. Ask the Lord to revive the wonder of His presence in your life this holiday season. Trust Him, He will! I feel it. I hope you do too.