Filled with Awe

When our sweet granddaughter was in kindergarten, she was selected to play Gabrielle, the angel, in her school's Christmas play. In preparation, afternoons were filled with the sound of practicing lines about “good news and great joy.” With boldness and her face glowing, she announced, “Fear not! For unto you is born this day a Savior!”

Watching her bring the familiar Christmas story in Luke 2 to life in a new way, I pictured ordinary men doing ordinary work when suddenly, that quiet night became a holy moment.

That night began like any other, and the shepherds were simply doing their job -watching over their flocks in the quiet fields of Bethlehem. Nothing about their evening seemed extraordinary until heaven broke through the ordinary. As God’s glorious light flooded the darkness, the shepherds trembled in fear and awe as an angel appeared to share with them the greatest news ever heard: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

God still meets us in ordinary places, right in the midst of our daily lives and mundane routines. His presence is with us when we are washing dishes, in our cars on our way to work, or the grocery store, as we whisper prayers for strength and guidance, wrapping Christmas gifts, preparing dinner, and even when walking the family dog. Oftentimes, he reveals himself to us in unexpected ways, gently meeting us with confirmation of his love, peace, joy, and guidance.

When was the last time you felt awe before God? We can feel awe from anything that connects us with a sense of God’s greatness. During Advent as well as into the New Year, may we ask him to renew us with the same wonder the shepherds felt that night, and to fill our hearts with joy, peace, and anticipation in the days ahead. Let us not keep the good news to ourselves; let us share what God has done in our lives.

Lord, thank you for restoring our sense of awe and wonder at the gift of your son, Jesus Christ. Help us to glorify you and praise you and expect your presence to fill us with joy, hope, and faith in the New Year. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

Song of Reflection: Listen to "O Holy Night" by Hillsong Worship