Wondering about Wonder – A Childlike View of Christmas

Wondering about Wonder – A Childlike View of Christmas

It’s just a few days before Christmas. Gifts are nestled under the tree. The menu is planned. My to-do list hangs on my fridge—You know, the carefully orchestrated script to avoid stress… (Yes, I am a planner). All of this has me wondering, have I lost my childlike wonder of Christmas?

I’m sure you will agree; holidays are a lot of work. So how can we capture the wonder IN the work?

Just this week I got a couple of glimpses of wonder I’d like to share with you.

Seeing the Wonder of Christmas

I woke up early one morning this week and stepped into the darkened living room. The tree glittered in the front window—it’s amazing how those tiny lights can brighten the darkness.

I remember as a little girl seeing the Christmas tree made my tummy bubble up inside. The lights. The tinsel. The ornaments. And, the star was up so high I needed to crane my neck to see.

O’ the anticipation. We counted down the days with a paper chain and a nativity calendar. Houses were brightly lit as we drove through nearby neighborhoods. I remember choosing my favorite as we rode home in the car. Christmas was a magical time of wonder.

This week I experienced a glimmer as I took in the brightly lit tree and remembered that He is the LIGHT of the WORLD, come for us..

Hearing the Wonder of Christmas

A second thing evoking wonder this week was participating in our church celebration. Children played their Christmas carol selections on the violin and clarinet. The worship team sang, Names (Elevation Worship, YouTube Link below ), and several of us shared a spoken piece about each name of Jesus prophesied in Isaiah 9:6.

For unto us, a Child is born.

Unto us, a Son is given.

And the government will be on His shoulders,

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

the Mighty God,

the Everlasting Father,

and the Prince of Peace.

I got that same feeling bubbling up within, and a sense of wonder as I considered each of these names of Jesus. It helped me to remember the real reason we celebrate.

Have I lost my childlike wonder of #Christmas? Ways to discover the wonder through a child's eyes. #WorkOrWonder Share on X

What if we capture our wonder as we look at Christmas through a child’s eyes?

Hope instead of harried

Wonder rather than work

Celebrate instead of complain

These focus shifts could replace the worldly sense of the holiday with the wonder of His coming for us. So in the coming days,

Sing carols

Put on the old Christmas tunes

Decorate a gingerbread house

Read the Christmas account in Luke 1-2, Matthew 1-2

Share a Christmas storybook with your children and grandchildren

Put a nativity scene in a prominent place

Go look at Christmas light displays

Adopt a family in need and ask how to help

More Wonder-filled Recommendations

There are two Christmas books I recommend for young children—I have been asked by the publisher at Worthy Kids to share a review.

There are two #Christmasbooks I recommend for young children from #WorthyKids. The First Christmas Night, and, First Words of Christmas Share on X

The First Christmas Night, by Keith Christopher, Illustrated by Christine Kornacki. Published by Worthy Kids 2023 (Available in Hardcover and Board book)

This adorable story is written with the rhyming cadence of the old ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore. It begins…

‘Twas the very first Christmas

when all through the town

not a creature was stirring–

there was not a sound

I simply love this story of the journey of Jesus to Bethlehem. The words are lovely and capture the events of that first Christmas. The illustrations are soft and life-like. I think children of all ages will enjoy the story. I find the rhyming verse very soothing and it makes a perfect bedtime story.

* * * * *

The second is a board book called, First Words of Christmas, illustrated by Madeleine Marie, published by Worthy Kids 2023.

This is a simple retelling of the Christmas story for young children, highlighting the words of Christmas:

Mary, Bethlehem, Stable, Manger, Jesus, Shepherd, Angel, Wise Men, Star, and Gifts.

A very cute 'first Christmas book' - First Words of Christmas, Worthy Kids 2023. #ChristmasBoardBook Share on X

The illustrations are simple, bright, colorful, and adorable. The back cover gives a glimpse of this first book about Christmas:

“Introduce your little one to the story of Christmas with this adorable book of first words.”

Keep Jesus the Reason for the Season

In a world that seems to be squeezing Christ out of Christmas, I think it’s important to provide ways to show the wonder of Jesus to our children.

In a world that seems to be squeezing Christ out of #Christmas, I think it's important to provide ways to show the #wonder of Jesus to our children. Share on X

Do you have a recommended resource, book, movie, game, or activity that your family enjoys during the Christmas season, please tell us about it in the comments below. Be sure to let us know what ages would enjoy your suggestion.

Wishing you the wonder of this season,

Jeanne

Do you have a #RecommendedResource, book, movie, game, or activity that your family enjoys during the Christmas season? Share on my blog post Share on X

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