The Astonishment of Christ’s Birth

Does the Luke 2 story still amaze you? Traditionally, this passage is applied at Christmastime to our need to boldly share the Gospel message in imitation of the shepherds. A few days ago, we reflected on praising God’s glory to others like the angels, but today, maybe the question we need to ask ourselves is if we are still as amazed at hearing the good news.

Perhaps we have heard the story so many times that it has lost its luster and astonishment or maybe we think we have exhausted its theological depths. If our own amazement at this incredible story has diminished over the years, that could be a reason we need to be continually reminded to share it with others. Have we forgotten our own amazement when we first heard about it and believed? The shepherds were amazed at what they heard and saw, and their amazement was contagious to those they told.

The good news, which begins here with the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem, is still the power of salvation (Romans 1:16)—the triumph of resurrection life over death, of mercy over judgment, and eternal joy over mourning.

Be astonished by the arrival of Jesus again this Christmas. Do not just read the nativity story. Sit with it in prayerful solitude or contemplate its fullness with your loved ones until the amazement returns and your souls are enlivened with a supernal joy. Then, let your wonder at the story overflow to others who have yet to be amazed.

Prayer

Father, help me to be amazed again at Your good news. I confess that I am prone to become complacent over time and to treat as ordinary and common what is extraordinary and holy. There is no love story like this. Do not allow my soul to slumber this year through the rereading of this amazing news that God has come to save even me. Rekindle my astonishment and wonder at the coming of my Lord Jesus until it becomes such a flame in me that I will boldly tell others to share in my amazement.

Amen.