December 4, 2017
Remember the Wonders
Arlene Pellicane
Today’s Truth
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced...” (1 Chronicles 16:11-12, NIV).
Friend to Friend
As I walked through the airport, I was surprised to see my gate decorated with several flags. There were glass cases along the walls filled with all sorts of medals and pins. A wall lined with photographs of World War II heroes honored the family members of the airline’s employees. My eyes watered as I stood before these images from the 1940s of young men who had given their lives for the cause of freedom.
Standing in wonder, I glanced around at a few employees. I got the feeling they were very accustomed to their surroundings. I doubt they got choked up with emotion when they walked past the black and white photographs on the wall. They didn’t even seem to notice the flags and medals around them.
I really can’t blame them. I was seeing everything for the first time with eyes of appreciation and wonder. If I had seen that gate hundreds of times, I probably would pass by without a second thought.
It reminded me of Christmas. We have heard the story of the baby born in a manger, and the angels singing to shepherds. We have seen Christmas plays and heard Christmas songs. It’s very easy to let these familiar things pass by. Yet how much we can miss if we don’t stop to wonder.
The Bible tells us to “Remember the wonders he has done…” This cycle of remembering gives us hope and perspective. You might imagine you are hearing the Christmas story for the first time as you listen to a sermon from Luke’s gospel. You may picture what it was like the day Jesus was born or what it would be like to have an angel appear to you with a heavenly announcement.
Don’t lose your sense of wonder just because the Christmas story is familiar.
When my daughter Lucy was two, she had a favorite purple stuffed animal dog named Violet. She was crazy about Violet! I thought it would be funny to rewrap Violet as a Christmas present. After Lucy went to bed, I took Violet and dressed her in one of Lucy’s sweatshirts and her bike helmet. I placed “Biker Violet” in a box and wrapped it in paper.
On Christmas morning, Lucy tore open the box to reveal her beloved Violet in a new outfit. She squealed “Violet!” in delight, hugging her stuffed dog tightly as if she had never seen anything so wonderful.
Violet was an old friend presented in a new way, and it evoked wonder in little Lucy. In the same way, we can take the story of Christmas and rewrap it to see this marvelous gift of God’s love with new eyes.
As we remember God’s wonders this season, may it stop us in our tracks. Let us salute the God who loved us so well that He sent His Son down to earth to save us.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for coming as a baby to save my life. I am in awe of Your love for me. Today I remember the many wonders You have already performed in my life. You are worthy of praise. May I see You with new eyes of wonder and appreciation this Christmas season.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is the next Christmas event you will attend? It may be a church service, school play, concert, work party, or celebration at a friend’s house. Take a moment before the event to pause and thank God for the meaning of Christmas. Give yourself a minute to remember God’s wonders. Let this set the tone for the event.
More from the Girlfriends
Would you like to text less and wonder more? Learn how to tone down your tech and experience more peace and joy in Arlene’s book Calm, Cool, and Connected: 5 Digital Habits for a More Balanced Life.
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Originally published Monday, 04 December 2017.
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