It is not uncommon to drive down the road this time of year and see houses lit up with all kinds of Christmas lights. Some people spend thousands upon thousands of dollars creating these elaborate Christmas spectacles. There are even TV specials dedicated to showing off these electric masterpieces. These elaborate lighting arrangements typically leave us with our jaws dropped and eyes wide.
This reminds me of the reaction of Mary and Joseph had following Simeon’s song. Luke 2:33 says that “his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him [Jesus].” It’s that word “marvel” that grabs me. To marvel means to be filled with astonishment or wonder. They marvel at was spoken of Jesus, they are marveling at just who their son is…the Son of God! I’m sure their eyes were wide and jaws were dropped.
This isn’t the only spot where people are left marveling at the splendor of Christ. In Luke 8 Jesus is awoken by his frightened disciples because of a massive storm at hand. Jesus rebukes the storm, and the seas are calmed instantly. And Luke tells us in 8:25, “And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” The disciples witnessed the Son of Man stop a storm dead in its tracks and all they could do was marvel.
In Luke 11 Jesus casts a demon out of a mute man, and that mute man then speaks. Luke 11:14 says, “When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled.” When Jesus does something spectacular and unthinkable the first reaction is awe and wonder. Eye widening, jaw dropping marvel.
This same Jesus who performed these 2 great miracles and many more was also the one who came to give his life so we, like Simeon, could see salvation. The Son of God, came humbly, lived humbly, and “humbled himself to the point of death, even death on a cross” so we could receive the greatest gift of all, forgiveness of sins, restored relationship with God, and eternal life in paradise. Don’t let the majesty of Jesus Christ pass you by this Christmas. Take the time to marvel at the anointed Savior, Jesus Christ.