I posted this a few years ago. It ties into my Word of the Year very nicely.
(originally posted 12/2018)
The lights and sights, the smells, the anticipation of fun things happening, they all work together to make this the most wonderful time of the year. But as we grow older, it is easy to loose that wonder if we don't guard it.
As many of you know, I worked retail for 25 years. Christmas products and planning started in July with "Christmas in July" sales, then new product arrival in August. By the time Black Friday weekend was over, I was worn out and tired. My wonder and excitement for the most wonderful time of the year was gone. I had to make an adjustment of my attitude in order to enjoy Christmas and all its wonders again.
Do you look at the snow falling and admire it's beauty or do you think about the problems it is going to create you? Do you marvel at the Christmas lights as you drive or just wonder how much their light bill is going to be? Are you savoring the miracle of God becoming man, or just wanting all this Christmas stuff to be over? Have you lost your wonder?
Definition of wonder
wonder noun won·der | \ˈwən-dər
1a: a cause of astonishment or admiration : Marvel
b: Miracle
2: the quality of exciting amazed admiration
3: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience
wonder verb wondered; wondering\ ˈwən-d(ə-)riŋ \
1a: to be in a state of wonder
b: to feel surprise
wonder adjective Wondrous, Wonderful: such as
a : exciting amazement or admiration
b : effective or efficient far beyond anything previously known or anticipated
As a child, I fell asleep to the hum of the sewing machine as my mom would stay up late into the night sewing. Every year we had new dresses for Christmas and one year she made us Barbie doll clothes for our new Barbies! Sewing is not restful and relaxing for her like it is for me, I know that now. Yet even though she had to be tired, she kept her wonder for Christmas. With all she did, the baking, sewing, decorating and hosting parties, she kept the wonder alive for our family and community. Her deep abiding faith in Jesus translated into joy at his birth. He was why she celebrated, why she baked, sewed and decorated. That joy has given her strength not only at Christmas but throughout her whole life.
We are Gods children and He wants us to keep our sense of wonder no matter how old we are. If you have lost some of your wonder, pray for it to be restored. Here are a few things God gave me when I prayed to restore my wonder.
- Don't lose sight of the reason we are celebrating. The miracle of God becoming man, Jesus born to be our savior. As you go about your day, take time to wonder about this, to marvel at that miracle. Read Luke 2 in different translations through the month. Bible Gateway has enough for you to read a different one every day!
- Choose to look around you with exciting amazement and admiration. On your way home put some joyful Christmas music on and admire the lights. Pause, really look and admire at the decorations at work, your church or the stores you visit.
- Plan times of wonder. Make a "bucket list" of the things you do at this time of year that you find wonderful, and plan to do them. Keep a list of your favorites for next year.
- Add wonder to your everyday routine. Get a Christmas mug for your coffee, hang an ornament from your rear view mirror, play Christmas music as you clean or do dishes.
- Remove as much stress as you can. Learn to say no to things that aren't important so you can enjoy the things that are. Sometime we stress ourselves out by trying to do too much. Will anyone notice that I only made 3 kinds of Christmas cookies instead of 6?
Let your joy of Jesus birth overflow into everything you do this season. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
What are some things you do to keep the wonder of Christmas? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear what the Lord has shown you!
Have a Delightful Christmas Season!
Do you have your Word for 2024? When you do, grab this notebook/journal to record your adventures and follow your journey through the year.
https://jodelights.com/products/my-one-word-word-of-the-year-journal
Related Posts
September One Word Journey
August One Word Journey
3 comments
Hi Jode it’s was so good to hear from you. It was the other day l was wondering how you were doing as I did not get a email from you earlier this December. I so pleased you are well. Thank you so much for sharing. As this morning I was moaning about the house is untidy. The thing is I was involved in a accident a car drove into me which I was on a scooter and now I struggle with walking. But you know what you written has made me think l need to enjoy my time with my family and look at things more positive. Have a lovely Christmas and God’s Blessings
I lost my wonder and this post is an awesome reminder that I need to get it back. God bless you Jodee! Merry Christmas
Hi Jodie, Our family enjoys Friday night Christmas movies. We start the Christmas season off with, “White Christmas”. Loved this post! Yes, Lord, restore the wonder.