The Wonder of it All

 

As I sit here looking out at the fresh fallen snow (we now have 3 inches!!) and the birds flitting to and fro from the feeders, I'm in awe at the wonder of it all: the preparations are done, the presents are wrapped and under the tree, and the pot is simmering with the scent of Tuscan Bean Soup.  Both girls are at their respective apartments, Dave is napping upstairs and I'm by the lighted Christmas tree wondering where the sun went this afternoon.....it's a tad bit gloomy but makes for a perfect Christmas Eve setting as the lights shine bright.

My absolute favorite stanza in the old classic Christmas hymn, "Joy to the World' is the 4th verse: 

As children, we are in wonder at the magic of Christmas: the elves, the reindeer, the snowmen, the little drummer boy, the story of St Nicholas and the Nativity.  Perhaps, like me, you grew up  doing church nativity pageants and sang Away in the Manger every year from age 4-12. You may have Luke 2 memorized and John 3:16 and pieces of Isaiah 9. You can sing every Christmas hymn and carol, every secular santa song and you can frost a plethora of sugar cookies. 

As we become adults and parents, do we lose the wonder of it all?  Some of us might and I know many are disillusioned with certain aspects of the American Christmas.  

I, however, have never lost the wonder of it all. Just ask my husband.  I begin putting the tree up as soon as we are home from Thanksgiving in Plymouth. The house is decorated and every room has a spot of nativity or Christmas somewhere. Even my front porch flag: I have THREE for the month of December: "Merry Christmas", the Nativity for the 24th/25th, and "Wise Men Still Seek Him" that I keep up until the day of Epiphany. I'm totally into Christmas and all that it brings. I've cut back on baking but not gift giving. I've learned to plan simpler healthier meals and snacks. I've said No to certain events and Yes to new ideas/traditions. 

And in the midst of it all, I have that sense of wonder. 

Wonder at the Incarnation that truly rocked this world. 

Wonder at how He grew up to walk as a human and then died the most horrible death imaginable....all for us...and for all of us. Every single human being. 

He doesn't remain a baby!! The wonder of it all is that He was perfect as He walked this earth, showing us how to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and how to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

The wonder of it all is that He walked around healing people physically, mentally, spiritually. 

The wonder of it all is that He knew He would die and take on our sins yet did it anyway! 

The wonder of it all is His grace and mercy. 

Tonight isn't just about celebrating the birth of a baby....

.....it's about celebrating the Risen Redeemer who went from a bed of wood to a death on a wooden Cross.

...It's about celebrating a Baby who became a Man who rode a donkey to His death and became our Savior....  but will return as the Redeemer on a white horse! 

The wonder of it all is that He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and embraced by the Virgin Mary.....but.....

He is coming back and on his thigh and that white robe will be the words 

and He will rule Victorious and embrace us who call Him Savior. 

The wonder of it all.........

JESUS. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!