Tip of My Iceberg

In a world where facts are questionable, and news is perceived as fake, when you can’t trust the pictures you see without wondering if they’ve been doctored, there’s still space for awe and wonder and a little Christmas magic.

When I was a kid, believing in Santa Claus made sense to me. We didn’t have much money for frivolous things, so when the four of us kids got bikes for Christmas one year, I knew immediately it had to be Santa because our parents didn’t have the money for such extravagances. Each Christmas seemed to confirm this belief. I basked in the awe and wonder of someone who didn’t know me caring enough to get me what I hoped for Christmas.

When I discovered the truth, I was disappointed. Losing the magic was hard, and it took some of the sheen off the holiday.

I knew Christmas was all about Jesus, God becoming Man, to reconnect us with the One who made us. But I was young, and I longed for a little of the surprise the jolly elf in red would bring.

Beck, at seven, is still enthralled with the magic. He’s a bit of a dreamer, creative, and full of grand thoughts. His cousin, who is much more matter-of-fact, has tried to convince him that such things as magic can’t possibly be real.

Beck won’t buy the logic. He knows in his heart that there is magic at this time of year. He can’t imagine the world without at least a little of it.

The sad reality is that many of us have lost the awe and wonder of our childhood, when we believed what seemed impossible, enjoying the amazement of the unexpected. We’ve become calloused in our approach to life, seeing it as if it were a computer program, all zeros and ones.

Jesus came to restore our wonder.

God sent His Son to earth to remind us that He was and is present with us and that His love was real, no matter what our circumstances. At the time of Jesus’ birth, the Romans ruled the Jews, and some local kings also had to be satisfied; taxes were outlandish, and there was political division among the Jewish people. There was no awe; just fear.

God sent His Son at just the right time to bring good news to the people who needed to know their God loved them.

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of His government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7.

A Messiah to save the people of the world. One who would come to bring peace, justice, and righteousness for all who would receive it.

There is a sense of holy magic in how significantly God loves us, enough to send His One and Only Son, to leave the glory of heaven for the brokenness of earth and messy mankind. Nothing you can see, but the change to your heart and soul is remarkable.

I envy Beck’s ease with awe and wonder. He doesn’t question what he doesn’t understand; he embraces the possibilities.

In light of the wonder of Christmas, what newness could you embrace this year?