Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4 NKJV
As I watch large fluffy snowflakes drift lazily to the earth, I am reminded that no two are alike. Every storm rains hundreds of trillions of uniquely designed snowflakes. Yet, the fragile architecture of each snowflake exists for only a brief moment before it melts. The sheer volume of individual and intricate snowflakes that have fallen since the beginning of time fills my heart with awe and wonder.
How about you? Do you stare in wonder at sparkling snowcapped mountains, or the shimmering feathers of a hummingbird suspended in flight? Do you gasp at the shifting colors of the sunset or the delicate fragrance of a perfect rose? Or do you take for granted God’s miraculous wonders?
Jesus warned us that this could happen (see verse above). Children live in a state of wonder that humbles their hearts before the great and glorious God. How do we recapture that breathless wonder?
Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the miraculous innocence shining from the newborn Jesus. Like a snowflake, each newborn is uniquely designed and fashioned by the hand of God. Of the eight billion people on the planet, and all the billions that came before, no two are exactly alike.
The baby Jesus was not only unique in His humanness, He was also the only God-man. Jesus was fully human, and yet He is fully God. Jesus laid aside His godly powers and royal crown to become a helpless baby. The Creator of all became the created.
The sacred beauty of baby Jesus was the Sunrise; God’s tender mercy birthing the dawn of a new era. He is the light of the world Who shines upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. His light will guide our feet onto the pathway of peace (Luke 2:78-79).
The birth of our Savior is just one of the many wonders in the Bible. It is possible to look at, but not see those wonders, to be bored and unmoved. Yet our experience of wonder deepens our relationship with God. So, how do we recapture the wonder of our Savior God?
Just as we did in this devotional, we pause to reflect on the miraculous that is all around us. Our spiritual practices of studying the Word, worshipping Him, and praying begin to open our hearts to wonder. That’s how we become attuned to the spiritual realities that surround us so that God can surprise us with wonder. Observe with an artist’s eye, even what feels mundane. Focus on the beauty (glory) of baby Jesus, and you will recapture the wonder of Christmas.