Christmas is coming. With that in mind, and with Christmas list in hand,
Martha and I made a trip to our local mall to begin our gift search in earnest.
We had just bagged one trophy gift at one end of the mall and were
heading towards the other end. Out in the middle of the mall walkway was
a display of some sort, lamps and knick knacks and such. I paid little
heed. I had other things in mind.
But then I saw this little toddler, barely old enough to walk. He
toddled over to the display, and immediately his head snapped back in
order to get the full view of what was in front of him. His mouth
dropped open, and he stood there in complete, unashamed awe.
I had to slow up my step long enough to glance over and see what he was
looking at. It was a globe about the size of a volleyball, made of
chunks of glass. It revolved and had a light inside that glowed through
the chunks of glass. Rich reds, greens and blues lit up the display and
his face.
Soon his mother came to see what he had found. He oooo-ed and aaaah-ed
trying to let his mother know how special this thing was. The child was
totally fascinated.
I marveled at the innocent wonder that children have, especially at
Christmas time. I have to admit that, inside, I yearned to be fascinated
like that, to be in wonder and awe like that child. I commented to
Martha, "Oh the wonder of kids!"
Later on in our mall trip, we circled back by that display one more time.
I have to admit that, because I had seen that child so taken by the glass
chunked globe, I had to see it for myself, up close. It was indeed,
marvelous, bright and colorful. I can see how the toddler was so taken
with it.
I pray that, somehow, this Christmas we will encounter people who come to
the manger and stand before the Christ child in total fascination, awe
and wonder. By their awe and wonder, they draw us into the wonder of the
word made flesh.
I pray that we will take time to see the wonder in our children as they
kneel at the manger, eyes transfixed on the gift that is before them.
I pray that our worship will catch us like that globe of glass chunks
caught that boy, and that we will be struck speechless before the beauty
of the Christ child so that we are moved to profound oooohs and aaaahs.
I pray that we, like that child in the mall, will draw our families to
the place where the gift can be seen.
I pray that because others in proximity to us have seen the awe and
wonder in us, they will be drawn to circle back again to see what moved
us to such wonder.
In reality that's what Christmas is, a time of awe. Joseph stands in
awe. Mary holds the child in awe. Shepherds kneel in awe. Wise men
travel and present gifts in awe.
In a world that is sometimes aw-ful, it is time for an awe-filled
Christmas.
