Unwrapping Christmas: The Gift of Wonder

First of all, read Luke 2:1-20. Maybe you’ve read it before and you know the story. But this time, take your time. Read it carefully. Try to put yourself in the scene. Imagine traveling with Joseph and Mary the 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Imagine the sights and smells of the animals in the stall when the baby is born. Imagine yourself sleeping on the ground with the shepherds. Imagine hearing and seeing the angel of the Lord and the celestial choir that comes to praise God. Imagine going into town, to the stable, and seeing the Lord, Jesus, the Christ, who has just entered the world….a baby wrapped in cloths, lying there in the manger. Take time to re-live this WONDERful event that we can so easily miss in all the hubbub of Christmas. Read Matthew 2:1-12. Imagine yourself traveling with the Magi, following the star in the sky. Imagine your encounter with Herod. Imagine what it must have been like to finally, after all those miles of travel, come face to face with the child, Jesus. Imagine giving this child gifts, gold, frankincense, myrrh. And then the dream they had to return home by a different route. Again, take time to allow yourself to be filled with the WONDER of this incredible, awesome experience. Go back and read the entire first chapter of Matthew. Matthew is writing for the Jews, and so it is important to show Jesus’ family back to Abraham, the Father of Judaism. It is interesting to note that in this family there is an adulterer/accomplice to murder (David), a prostitiute (Rahab), a foreigner (Ruth) and several other less-than-perfect people. It shows us the very human side of Jesus, the side of Jesus that we all share. As you read the second part of the chapter, Joseph’s story, try to relive the events and to capture the WONDER of what is happening here. Read the first chapter of Luke. There’s a lot of wonder here. Elizabeth, previously barren, is pregnant in her old age. Imagine how Zechariah must have felt when he was given the news by the angel Gabriel. Revisit Gabriel’s visit to Mary to tell her God’s plan for her. Be there with Elizabeth and Mary as they share their experiences. Take time to read Mary’s song and Zechariah’s song and try to capture some of their joy as they celebrate God. Take some time to appreciate, again, the WONDER the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.