Devotions
Rev Gav
Wonder
Luke 2.17-21
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
Reflect
The shepherds visited the village of Bethlehem and found the baby in the feeding trough, just as the angels had said. So, what next? The shepherds’ response to the birth of Jesus was to talk about it and to praise God. They could not help themselves and the people they told were amazed. Mary, though, played the scene over in her mind and kept it to herself.
People respond to Jesus in different ways. For many of us, we are so familiar with the story that we have lost any sense of amazement or wonder. Or perhaps we have filed Jesus as just one teacher amongst many — nothing special — and we are indifferent to him. Or maybe we do not really know the story at all. However, if this story is true, then Jesus is far more special than we can possibly imagine. The baby king is named Jesus which means ‘saviour’. He is the saviour of the world and that makes him my saviour and it makes him your saviour too.
Today, choose how you will respond to the saviour Jesus Christ coming into the world. Will your choice be amazement, wonder, quiet gratitude or indifference?
In the past, when the name ‘Jesus’ has been mentioned, what’s been your response? Given the claims made in the story, has it been the right response?
Pray
Holy God
You wanted to come into the world as a human,
to identify with us, to share with us,
and ultimately to save us.
Give me a renewed sense of wonder
at the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ
this day and for ever.
and then