In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David (Luke 2:8-11 HCSB).
I have always been fascinated with the universe in all its beauty and mystery. As a young child I enjoyed reading about “outer space” and fondly remember my mother trying to point out different constellations to me on clear Colorado nights. Then one day it was discovered that I had very poor eyesight at distances. I was fitted for a pair of glasses and even now, fifty-two years later, I vividly remember going outside at night and seeing the night sky through my new glasses. It was amazing. All of those fuzzy blobs in the dark sky were now beautiful, twinkling stars. I could actually see now what my mother had been describing – the big dipper, the seven sisters and others. My fascination was transformed into wonder as I gazed into the awesomeness of the universe.
The year was 1955. I remember because something else happened that same year. I overheard a conversation between my mother and my grandmother that I wasn’t suppose to hear. My mother had been sick a lot and in the hospital – she said it was bronchitis. Now, I heard the truth – something called leukemia and only a few months to live. I didn’t understand and I was afraid.
A few weeks later I had another transformation. God broke into my young life in an amazing way. My family had been at church for the Christmas Eve service. We sang Christmas carols and I and several of the other children performed a re-enactment of the birth of Jesus, and then Rev. Early had a message and a prayer. Then all of the children went to the bottom of the stairs of the old sanctuary and waited to hear “Jingle Bells.” That was our signal that Santa Claus had arrived and we all ran up the stairs to sit on his lap and receive our bag filled with an apple, an orange, a popcorn ball, and other Christmas treats.
When we had said our goodbyes we all climbed into our 1948 Chevy for the ride home. It was a typical cold Colorado night and the heater didn’t work very well so we all crowded into the front seat for warmth. My dad drove, my brother and I sat in the middle and my mother, with my little baby sister in her arms sat in the passenger seat. It was a special time. We were all together, we were happy and love, joy and peace filled that car. Still, as I snuggled closer to my mother, there was a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Then, the unexplainable happened. In the quietness of those moments this 9-year-old boy had a revelation. For the first time, in my short life, I could see clearly and understood what the Christmas play was all about and what Rev. Early had said now made sense. God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth the One who put the stars in their places had come to earth as a babe in a manger to become one of us. I didn’t suddenly understand what a history-changing, life-changing event this was. I didn’t suddenly grasp the idea that God in Jesus was born to die on a cross for our sins. But I was suddenly overwhelmed with a real sense of God’s love and presence – I was surrounded with wonder.
Now, some fifty Christmas’ later I still recall that night as if it were just last night. My mother didn’t get better but a miracle did happen that night and I still feel that amazement, the mystery and the wonder as I contemplate what God has done.
I believe that we all long for something wondrous in our lives. We yearn for a little bit of wonder in a world of fear and uncertainty. I believe that as we hear the angels singing and the shepherds hurrying and Mary pondering, we need to take a little time for wonder. After all, isn’t that what the birth of Christ is really all about? Sometimes it just happens but more often than not we need to always look to find ways of celebrating the presence of God in the ordinary moments of everyday life—the smile of a friend, the love of family, the sharing of a meal, the beauty of good music, the majesty of Gods creation.
When I least expected it, hope entered and Christmas came. Not in the lights, or the tree, or the gifts, or the music, or the ringing of bells. No, hope came in the still, small voice of Christ who promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Wonder of wonders.
My prayer for each of you is that you would be overcome with the gift of wonder and a new realization of what it means to be God’s child.
See you Sunday! Mitch
