Last Sunday, we saw that one of Luke’s clear themes surrounding the birth of Jesus the Christ is “great joy.” Another one of Luke’s repeated descriptions of people’s reactions to the coming Jesus is wonder and amazement. Isaiah prophesied that the Christ’s name would be called “Wonderful”. When all the people hear that Zechariah and Elizabeth were going to be calling the name of their son John, Luke writes “And they all wondered…” In Luke 2 when the shepherds return in Luke 2 from seeing Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger, they were telling everyone about what they had seen and heard. Luke 2:18 and 19 says, “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told him. But Mary treasured these things her heart, pondering them in her heart.”
This Sunday, as we study Zechariah’s praise in Luke 1:67-80, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will cause us to be filled with wonder at this great gift of God’s Son who has come in great mercy to us. As the old Christimas hymn goes:
“I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.”
Aren’t you amazed? I hope this Christmas, you will be filled with wonder, love, and praise as you wander out under the sky. See you Sunday. Bring a friend.
