Have You Lost Your Marvels?

“The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.” Luke 2:33 NIV

The Christmas story. In Matthew and Luke’s accounts, miracles burst forth like microwave popcorn. But does the popcorn seem stale? If you were raised in church, you’ve tasted this story DVDed, Christmas-pageanted, and Nativity-scened.

Have you lost your marvels?

Luke tells us Mary and Joseph marveled at the goings-on surrounding Jesus’ birth. Interesting in light of the fact they had both received angelic heads-ups. Did such knowledge require a lifetime to process or was its unfolding cause for awe and wonder?

Explore the Christmas story this month. Put on Joseph’s sandals and walk in them. Feel his rejection when he hears of the pregnancy, wake up in a cold sweat after an angel-driven dream, and travel to Egypt with your power tools and an Israeli-Egyptian dictionary in your pocket.

Wrap Mary’s shawl around your shoulders or better yet, check out Elizabeth’s new nursery, stocked with Similac and Geritol.

Hold your breath in Herod’s court as his paranoia runs rampant.

Get saddle sore with the Magi as they travel mile after mile, not to Disneyland, not for business, but to worship.

Lace up your boots and hike through the fields with the shepherds. Search for the Messiah in a manger.

You just might find your marvels.

Questions for the Week:

1) Begin to read through the Christmas story. You can find it in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

2) What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? Why?

3) Choose one character from the Christmas story and immerse yourself in their story. Ask God to show you something new.

4) Share what you learned from Question 2.

5) Did you find your marvels? What do they look like?