Wonder of Christmas

Sadly I have to admit that over the past several years I have been a bit of a Scrooge. OK, I have been a great Scrooge and I was proud of it.  “Bah Humbug” was my motto. I had been consumed by the loss of meaning and the pressure of the financial cost to live out Christmas like the rest of the world.  However, I am excited to proclaim that this year is different.

Photo Courtesy Susan E. Adams – Creative Commons

This year I have more joy. I have a passion to see the decorations fill the house. But what is the difference this year? What has changed?  I have no other answer than the grace of God and remembering that Christmas is really not about me. The past several years show a marked increase in the closeness of my relationship with Jesus. Out of that relationship, I have rediscovered the wonder of Christmas. 

 “If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: ‘God with us.’ We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth.” – John MacArthur

In the beginning, Adam and Eve failed to live out their relationship with God. They chose instead to try and live for themselves. For the next four thousand years men and women failed to live out their lives the way that God had intended from the very beginning, a life lived out walking closely with a Holy God. Therein lies the problem. We cannot by our own effort live the life we were created for. To live that life, requires a Savior. (Tweet This)

On the first Christmas a young couple found refuge among the animals of a stable in the town of Bethlehem. Here Mary would lie down among the stench of a barn to give birth to a king. Born was a king who would begin the task to restore all of mankind to a right relationship with God. An event so wonderful the angels would come and worship. Shepherds who thought it was just another night would leave their flocks and seek the baby out. A night so wonderful three pagan kings would begin a two year journey to bring their offerings and bow before him. 

 Heaven and earth took note of the very first Christmas as God’s plan for the restoration of all things came to life. 

 We serve a God who would freely give his own son to be born as a man. That man would willingly live a life that would lead to his death and resurrection for our own benefit. 

 So Christmas is wonderful. 

 This year I am enjoying every tree, every light, and even every hokey Christmas movie. I will enjoy too much food and every moment with family. I am so glad that my “Scrooge” period is over. For I know the wonder of a Savior whose birth I celebrate has through his grace made me right with God,  the greatest present of all time. 

 I hope you have been able to enjoy the wonder of Christmas. 

 Now it is your turn. I would love to hear from you. 

 How have you experienced the wonder of Christmas?

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.