Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year; but remember — the word wonderful means full of wonder, which is exactly how we should feel when we consider the incredible entrance of God into human life in Bethlehem.

The people of Jesus’ day were amazed at every aspect of His life and ministry. Mark 9:15 says, “As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him” (NIV, emphasis mine).

Fatigue Can Wipe Out Our Wonder
One reason we’ve lost the wonder is that we’re too rushed to ponder the meaning of Christmas, and our fatigue overwhelms our sense of marvel. But notice these three little words in Isaiah 29:9, “Pause and wonder....”

We’ve got to find ways of pausing, of being still, or quieting our lives and our hearts. You might want to get out your calendar right now and make an appointment with yourself for two or three nights during the holidays in which you’ll accept no invitations, entertain no friends, and schedule no activities. You might even decide to “farm out the kids” one evening so you can be alone by the Christmas tree — just you and the Lord — reading Luke 2 and singing the great carols of Christmas as private solos to Him. I know it’s a radical idea! — but even Jesus needed to steal away by himself from time to time.

And why not get to church early this Sunday? Too many people dash in after the first hymn or opening prayer; but what if you arrived early enough to sit quietly and prayerfully, to listen to the prelude, and to think through the carols you’ll be singing? Don’t you think it’d be good for your nerves?

And there’s one more thing. I know you’d like to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list; but maybe it’s better to give a twenty dollar bill or a gift certificate — accompanied by a personal note of appreciation — if doing so will keep you from collapsing from fatigue. You can’t wonder if you’re weary, and it’s hard to be excited when you’re exhausted. This season, try our Lord’s advice: “Come...apart...and rest a while” (Mark 6:31, KJV).

Doubt Can Wipe Out Our Wonder
Doubt and disbelief can also wipe out our wonder. One of the reasons the world has turned Christmas into a harried holiday instead of a hushed holy day is because of the skeptical secularism of our times.

Ravi Zacharias warns that when we reduce the universe to purely mechanistic or random terms, there inevitably follows an accompanying loss of childlike wonder; and that reduces all of life, for everything ultimately becomes chemical or molecular. That leads to a loss of gratitude, for there’s no one left to be grateful to.

There’s something very wise and wonderful about childlike faith. How tragic to take God’s work for granted. How wrong to sit in church and yawn at the very truths for which our forefathers shed their blood and gave their lives.

Pride Can Wipe Out Our Wonder
Self-centered pride can also dilute our feelings of awe toward our great Savior, and Christmas has become very materialistic and selfish for many people. But only by being Christ-centered can we be wonder-filled.

Don’t think of what you’ll get out of Christmas this year. Think of others, and think of Him! Share His love. When the shepherds received the angelic message that the Messiah had been born just a mile or so from where they were, they went with haste and found the Babe lying in a manger; and when they had seen Him, they spread the news. Luke 2:18 says: “And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds” (NASV).

It’s still wonder-full news. This Christmas, don’t let fatigue, doubt, or pride steal the wonder from your heart. Take time to marvel at the miracle of the manger, to stand amazed in His presence, and to worship Him who alone makes it the most wonderful time of the year.

 

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Dr. Jeremiah is the founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. For more information on Turning Point, go to www.DavidJeremiah.org.