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So are you all cozied up with your hot chocolate, cookie, Bible, and pen? Let's begin!
We'll start by defining "wonder."
Wonder defined:
Noun - a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar or in explicable, awe, admiration, wonderment, fascination.
Verb - to desire or be curious to know something, ponder, think about, meditate on, reflect on, muse, feel admiration or amazement, marvel.
In looking at the characters of Christmas, it occurred to me that in order to be "wonder-filled," they first had to be emptied of some "not-so-wonderful things" ... and so do we.
Pull back the curtain and let's take a look. Enter Zechariah (and his loving wife, Elizabeth) ...
Read Luke 1:5-12.
Write what you learn about Zechariah and Elizabeth from these verses.
From verse 12 what was Zechariah filled with?
Read Luke 1:13.
The angel said, "Do not ________________!
The Voice translation puts it this way, " Calm down! Don't be afraid!"
Wonder #1: A Wonder-FILLED person rids herself of fear and replaces it with faith.
Do you need to hear that message today? Calm down! Don't rush about trying to buy, cook, clean, and make the season merry and bright! Calm down, relax, and enjoy this! Don't be afraid!
The word for fear in that verse is phobeō, which is translated, "to put to flight, to scare away, to terrify, to be seized with alarm."
Aren't we so often seized with alarm during this season? Another transliteration of this word is to be struck with awe or amazement. Isn't that a better way to be all the time? Struck with awe and amazement for our incredible God - Wonder-filled!
In her book, The Women of Christmas, Liz Curtis Higgs says regarding this verse,
I need these words embroidered on a pillow framed on my wall, scribbled across my mouse pad - anywhere I might see them - to remind me that God is in charge, God can be trusted and God does everything out of love. Fear not, Calm down. Why do we fear the worst from God when He loves us completely and always gives us what is best?
So the angel said, "Do not fear for your _________________has been heard."
His prayer had been heard? What prayer? The prayer for a baby, of course! Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless and the desire of their heart was to have a child. Specifically, a boy child because a boy was of particular blessing and honor in those days.
As I thought about verse 13, I realized that one way we can be "wonder-filled" is to rid ourselves of fear and replace it with prayer! We can humbly, in awe of who God is, go before Him and ask for His help rather than be frozen with fear. We can draw near to God knowing that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Being near to God is an anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:19-20), a weapon in battle (Eph. 6:18), a shelter in the storm, and a stream in the desert (Isaiah 32:1-2).
Wonder #2 - A Wonder-FILLED person is a Prayer-FILLED person.
Read Luke 1:14-17.
What else would Zechariah be filled with as a result of this son?
He would be wonder-filled with joy and gladness. Babies tend to do that, don't they? They make everything new special. They are marvelous creatures. They make us wide-eyed with excitement and dreary-eyed from lack of sleep, but they make us full of wonder!
Why would this baby boy fill those who would know him with suchjoy and gladness? Verses verses 15-17 give an account of what baby John will do.
List what he would do below.
Wonder #3 - A Wonder-FILLED person is filled with joy and gladness because of who God is and what He has done.
Among the many wonderful things God would accomplish through this baby, the best is found at the end of verse 17, which says, "to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." This baby would ultimately prepare the way for the coming Messiah. What an honor! What a blessing! And all a result of the favor and faithfulness of God.
That reminds me ... not only was Zechariah's fear going to be replaced with joy and gladness, but all along they had been Wonder-FILLED with the favor and faithfulness of Almighty God. Who, by the way, had this all planned out from the beginning. Zechariah and Elizabeth were not late in conceiving at all; they were exactly on time - God's time!
Wonder # 4 - A Wonder-FILLED person recognizes and remembers the favor and faithfulness of God.
Points to ponder:
- What has brought you fear this year?
- Are you tired of praying for the same thing, seemingly with no results?
- Do you feel forgotten or left out, angered or frustrated, because God hasn't answered you?
- Do you struggle with maintaining joy and gladness because of circumstances?
- Do you think you've lost God's favor?
- Are you remembering God's faithfulness? If not, stop now and fill your mind with wonder as you reflect on what you've seen God do in the past, on who He is and will always be!
Continue praying, beloved! Don't stop. Look for the favor and faithfulness of God. Anticipate it with awe and wonder. Come to God in prayer with excitement to just be in His presence. Jesus'presence is where you find joy and gladness. Replace your fear with wonder for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
But wait ... there's more to this story and we'll continue with it next week. If you'd like to go deeper and do a little studying each day to recapture the wonder, click here for thoughts and verses to fill your heart, mind, and spirit.
One more question ... Who will you share the wonder with this week? Tell a friend or neighbor what you've learned. Share the wonder!
Merry Christmas, my friend ...
