Wonder and Awe – Week One

Like many of you, recently I put up a Christmas tree. Last night I plugged in the lights and sat on the couch reflecting. As far as Christmas trees go, mine is nothing special, but even in its simplicity, it adds beauty and light. As winter settles in with colder days and longer nights, the sparkle and color remind me that it is a special time of year.

Often the Christmas season and promise of a new year fill us with joy, hope, and delight. But if many of us are honest, this season can also fill us with disappointment, questions, and worry. The holidays remind us of another year gone by. Maybe we didn’t accomplish all we set out to. Maybe we lost loved ones. Maybe we are lonely. Maybe our finances are tight. Maybe we have lost hope.

While many wonderful things have occurred in 2019, over the past few days I found myself focused more on my insecurities and lack than on the good. Instead of feeling excitement for the coming year, I felt concern, anxiety, even apathy. But as I sat staring at my tree, lost in thought, the simple beauty – gold ribbon, white lights, and colorful ornaments reminded me to hope.

Just like on a dark December night Christmas decorations add beauty, in my time of questions and concerns the message of Christmas brings hope. Think about it – isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Not the lights, glamor and gifts, but about a Savior coming into a dark world. A Messiah bringing the message of hope. A baby in a manger speaking to the great love of our Creator God.

The truth is, all too often I forget the wonder and awe of Jesus.

When I forget to worship, to spend time in God’s presence, to wonder at His love, to stand in awe of my Jesus that is when a critical and bitter spirit takes over.

We will either be in awe of Jesus and overwhelmed by His goodness or we will be overwhelmed by the worries of the world.

We will either wonder at the hope of Jesus or we will worry about our problems.

The Bible tells the story of a woman who grasped the awe and wonder of God. Her story is captured in just three verses, but thousands of years later, her life still challenges me. Eight days after Jesus’ birth, His parents took Him to the temple according to the Jewish customs. It is during this visit that we are introduced to Anna.

Anna was eighty-four years old. From what we understand, she was married for seven short years before she became a widow. After the loss of her husband, Anna dedicated her life to worship God. We don’t know exactly what age she lost her husband, but most likely for more than fifty years, Anna was constantly in God’s temple. She served both day and night by fasting and praying.

Anna is described as a prophetess. In other words, she is a woman who shared God’s message with others. Out of her loss, Anna found purpose. Instead of allowing her pain to define her, it drove Anna to God’s presence. Rather than give into bitterness, Anna lived a life of worship.

I don’t know about you, but Anna’s life convicts me. If a few short words were written about me, what would be said? Would prayer and worship be included?

Let’s look at Anna’s encounter with Jesus. Remember, for decades she had dedicated herself to worship and now she sees God face to face. Here is how the book of Luke describes it, “At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38 NASB)

It is as if Anna’s worship is seamless. She was spending time in God’s presence, and then she meets her Savior in human form. Her prayers continue with overflowing gratitude and she boldly speaks the message of redemption.

Anna’s time in God’s presence prepared her to recognize her Savior. Her fasting and prayer put her in a position to speak God’s truth to a world in desperate need of hope.

What about you? What about me?

Are we spending time in God’s presence? Or have we lost the awe and wonder of our God?

Are we praying and worshiping?

Are we preparing ourselves for an encounter with Jesus?

Are we ready to be God’s messenger of hope?

This Christmas allow God to bring you back to the joy of His presence. Allow your heart to worship. Reclaim the wonder and awe.