It happened in the middle of the children’s program at church — the moment that crystalized the essence of the Christmas sermons I have been preparing. Little Parker, who is barely tall enough to see over the edge of the altar table, stopped in front of the table and peered into the middle of the white ceramic manger set. There was wonder written all over his face in that instant. I was blessed in that moment with an inspiring insight. Even if I don’t get any more this season, this one will make this Christmas memorable. It distilled what I have been trying to say in my sermon series too. I, and probably many of my readers like me, need to recover that sense of wonder at what God has done at Christmas. Just as Parker in a child’s way was filling with awe at the beauty of the manger scene the children had just put in place as a part of the children’s program; so I need to think about the Christmas story and reflect on the life of Jesus enough to be filled with wonder once again at who Jesus is, how he humbled himself to be born in Bethlehem, what a wonderful life he lived, and how he died and rose again for me. I need a refill of awe and wonder. Then there will not be a danger that I am just going through the motions of Christmas; I will be truly able to worship at the manger this year.
Thank you to Nancy Collins for capturing the moment with her camera too.