THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS

Sue O’Donnell. 02.12.20 

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” (Psalm 98 v 4)


Will we grasp the wonder of Christmas?

Will we be ready to be delighted?


Will we be like little children who love to be surprised?


Do you remember the feeling the first time you saw a decorated Christmas tree?


Can we regain the childlike sense of awe and gratitude?

What more could the Father do to show His love for us?

What more than His gift that very First Christmas?

Do we fully grasp the implications of the incarnation?

Do we perceive our Father’s incredible love gift to us?

Can we shift our attention away from worldliness?

Will we instead be open to the Holy Spirit?

Do we realise the merit of the Spirit’s impact upon us?

His main purpose is to reveal who Jesus is.

Do we grasp Jesus comes to us directly from heaven?

Do we stop and think ‘Why, what is God’s reason’?

‘Why does He send His only Son to come amongst us’?

Do we grasp this as truly, incredibly wondrous?

Are we in danger of familiarity breeding apathy?

Do we make sufficiently ready for the nativity?

Do we pray for the day of Jesus’ arrival?


Do we really understand our eternal survival depends upon Jesus?

Do we let go of shortsightedness and look towards a heavenly life?

Do we make sufficient effort to forgo the strife of sin?

Do we ever begin to prepare spiritually to receive the Lord Jesus?

Do we spend any or sufficient time making ready prayerfully?

Do we see Advent as a sacred season with best reason?

Is the sense of anticipation and expectation exciting us?

Is this time blessed by our deepest yearning for life’s meaning?


Do we realise that this is about to be answered?

At Christmas Jesus comes to us to fulfil our yearning, yes?

Are we then waiting in longing, watching and counting?

Is our Advent calendar a journey towards holiness?

Do we accept our true conversion is found in the love of Christ?


Are we preparing to offer thanks abundantly?

Do we have confidence in God’s Christmas gift to us?

Can we, will we hand to Him our falsity, our iniquity?

In our adoration will be found the highest, fullest satisfaction.

Do we regard Advent as preparatory to an adventure of discovery?

Is this adventure our awareness of a love which changes us?

Do we believe in the angel’s secret about to be announced to earth?

Do we fully believe in the grace of a holy Baby’s birth?


“Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1 v 33)

“Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvellous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.” (Psalm 98 v 1, 2, 3)

Let us pray to “Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King,” (Psalm 98 v 6) who is coming soon that we rejoice in the wonder of Christmas. Let us pray with all praise and thanksgiving throughout this Advent time of preparation. “For He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the people with equity.” (Psalm 98 v 9) Let us offer praises for our salvation, the wonder of Christmas remaining with us forever in the love of Jesus, our Saviour. Let us pray.


Images by Artist Christine Garwood 

http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/


Season

CHRISTMAS

Key Themes

QUESTIONS

ADVENT