Seeing Christmas through the Eyes of A Child

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Opening: One of the most precious aspects of Children and the Christmas season is the sense of “wonder” with which Children approach Christmas. There is a palpable joy, expectation, and inquisitiveness that our children exude during the course of the Christmas season. Beyond, that Children get excited about Christmas in a way that leads them to talk about Christmas incessantly. Their wonder which leads to joy, expectation, and proclamation.

They experiences the joys of the season as they participate in decorating the home, driving around town to see Christmas lights, celebrating together in classroom parties. Many of our children take great delight in the giving and receiving of gifts.

They experience the expectation of Christmas as they participate in holiday traditions, advent calendars, counting down the days until Christmas break begins.

They express their wonder in the constant barrage of questions that come with Christmas such as, “how many days is it until Christmas?” “Do you think I’ll receive this gift I desire at Christmas?” Add into that the expressions of joy are children express as they open gifts on Christmas.

All of these things, though not necessarily always tied directly to the biblical account of Christmas, have value in the life of our children as we point them to the real and true wonder of Christ’s incarnation.

Description of Wonder: Wonder is described in dictionaries as being “a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.”

Children more readily embrace and experience that joyful wonder of Christmas and in those expressions of wonder we learn valuable lessons.

Illustration: About a week ago our family piled into our car and drove around town looking at Christmas lights… as we were driving a little, precious voice from the back asked, “If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, what kind of presents did Jesus receive on his birthday.” This began, as it often does with Benjamin, a long series of questions. As we were talking and answering his many questions I realized that what Benjamin was questioning was really his expression of wonder and amazement at things that he didn’t quite understand. In fact, I realized at that moment that his questions were really a good summary of what my message is about. So I am going to use 3 of Benjamin’s questions this morning to help us grasp the appropriate wonder with which we ought to celebrate Christmas.

Proposition: A child’s wonder at Christmas reminds us of the inexplicably glorious incarnation of Christ. This glorious incarnation likewise ought to lead us to expressions of joy, expectation, and proclomation.

The Wonder of the Creator Entering His Creation

Question: One of the little questions that were asked from the back seat of our car was, “If God created everything, did he create Jesus? Who created Jesus?”

In this little question is a profound reality that Bible introduces us to in a handful of places.

The Disciples’ Experience: This is a question that Jesus’ disciples wrestled with and experienced up close and personal. You may remember the account of Jesus calming the storm.

We see this explained in Mark 4:36-41 and Luke 8:22-25. Therein we learn of an account where Jesus and his disciples were travelling across the Sea of Galilee.

Luke 8:22–25 ESV

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” 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?”

In the midst of that journey, Jesus fell asleep, and during his sleep a massive storm arose that imperiled the lives of everyone on board.

Amazingly, Jesus remains asleep until he is awoken by one of the disciples who questions why Jesus shows so little concern for their approaching demise.

Jesus awakens, rebukes the wind and waves, and a sudden and immediate calm descends on the sea.

In response the Bible declares that “they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Herein, the disciples recognized, or at least began to consider, that this man in the boat with them, had power and authority over creation… pointing to the reality that he was in fact the creator.

The Gospel of John: The Gospel writers, especially the Gospel of John, specifically addresses this question of “who created Jesus?” in John 1.

John 1:2-3 reveals that Jesus has eternally existed in relationship with the Father. That Jesus is, himself, God. In that it is further revealed that all created things were created by Jesus.

John 1:2–3 ESV

He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:9-10 furthers John’s description of Jesus by explaining that Jesus “was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him.”

John 1:9–10 ESV

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

The Letters of Paul: This is a question that Paul likewise answered and reflected upon in his letters in Colossians 1:16-17 and in 1 Corinthians 8:6.

Colossians 1:16-17 reveal, once again, that Jesus is the creator of all things when it says, “all things were created through him.” Beyond that, Paul adds that all things were created “for him.”

1 Corinthians 8:6 reiterates this refrain when it says, “Jesus Christ, through whom are all thigns and through whom we exist.”

The Wonder and Marvel: One of the most marvelous truths that we celebrate at the Christmas season is the reality that our creator has entered his creation to redeem his creation. God, in the first coming of Jesus Christ, has initiated his redemption of his creation by entering into that creation.

Romans 8:18-23 reveals the tremendous hope that is then present in the life of the believer as we consider a God who is doing the work of redeeming His creation through having entered his creation.

Romans 8:18–23 ESV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Application:

Rejoicing in the wonder and glory of the creator entering his creation.

Anticipating the completion of God’s redemption of his creation.

Proclaiming the Gospel of the saving work of the creator in creation.

The Wonder of a Resurrected Savior

Question: One of the other little questions that was asked from the back seat of our car was, “Jesus isn’t dead, right? Then, how old is Jesus? Is he a billion years old?”

The Disciples’ Experience: Again we find that this question points to an amazing experience that the disciples had. We find this in Luke 24:8-12.

Luke 24:1 introduces us to the women going to the tomb where Jesus was laid and finding the tomb empty. There angels appear to them and announced his resurrection.

Luke 24:9-11 tells us that these women went back to the other disciples to report what they had seen, but they were not believed.

Finally, in Luke 24:12, Peter runs to the tomb, stoops into look and discovers the tomb to be empty.

Again, Luke records this response in Luke 24:12, it says that “he went home marveling at what had happened.”

Luke 24:12 ESV

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

The Letters of Paul: Again this is a question that Paul likewise answered and reflected upon in his letters in 1 Corinthians 15.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 states the Gospel of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for sins in a concise way.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 then responds to a skepticism about the reality of the resurrection. Immediately after introducing and discussing that topic of the skepticism of the resurrection, the apostle Paul answers it in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28.

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 ESV

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

Application:

Rejoicing in the wonder and glory of a Savior who has risen from the dead.

Anticipating the resurrection of our bodies, and thereby fulfilling our responsibilities as believers in hope and expectation of our resurrection.

Proclaiming the Gospel of the resurrection of the dead.

The Wonder of the Incarnation of the Son of God

Question: One of the other little questions that was asked from the back seat of our car was, “You can’t see God, but could I see Jesus? So, If I see Jesus, I see God?” And this is the one that was so profound, and really moved me emotionally as I was thinking through what my son was reflecting upon.

The Shepherd’s Experience: Again we find that this question points to an amazing experience that the first witnesses to Jesus’ life witnessed.

Luke 2:11-12, 18-20 reveals the truths told to the shepherds that Jesus was “the Christ” while also being “the Lord.”

They subsequently shared what they saw and heard to others and again the Scripture reports that people wondered and marvelled at what was relayed to them.

Luke 2:11–12 ESV

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:18–20 ESV

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Gospel of John: Again, the Gospel of John, in its introduction helps to address this simple question raised by my son.

John 1:17-18 first clearly explains that no one has seen God.

John 1:17–18 ESV

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Yet, he goes on to say, That Jesus has made him known.

The Epistles: Again, the Epistles also repeat this teaching on Jesus perfectly revealing the unseeable God.

Hebrews 1:3 makes this plane saying that Jesus is, “The exact imprint of his nature.”

Hebrews 1:3 ESV

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

2 Corinthians 4:4 declares that Jesus is “image of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Colossians 1:15 likewise says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

Colossians 1:15 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Application:

Rejoicing in the wonder and glory of having come to know God through the revelation of His son.

Anticipating the day when we will see him. As John declares in 1 John 3:2-3 and then calls us to purify ourselves.

1 John 3:2–3 ESV

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.