Text: Luke 2:20
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Childhood Wonder and the Fade of Manmade Awe
Christmas has always been a special time for many, but for me, growing up in Miami, Florida, it was magical. My family went all-out, thousands of lights, toy soldiers, choirs, manger scenes, animated displays, and five live Christmas trees inside the house. Our home became a community tradition, even featured on the news and in the Miami Herald.
People drove by with their windows down, taking it all in. You could see the awe on their faces.
But come January 1st, it all came down. The “awe” faded, packed into boxes and stored away until next December. And just like that, what was once spectacular became ordinary again.
Earthly Awe Fades, But God’s Awe Never Ends
This experience serves as a powerful reminder: the things of man, no matter how beautiful or grand, are temporary.
The awe of human creation will always fade. But the awe of God? It never goes out of season.
Paul David Tripp said it perfectly:
“Only when awe of God rules your heart will you be able to keep the pleasures of the material world in their proper place.”
Psalm 145:5 (NLT) echoes this:
“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.”
The True Gift of Christmas: God With Us
As we approach Christmas, let’s shift our focus away from the gifts we exchange, and dwell instead on the gift that was given. A Savior who stepped into time and space to rescue us.
I am in awe that the Creator of everything chose to come as a man so that I could be saved.
I am in awe that although He knew my failures, He became flesh to make a way.
I am in awe that His light shines in darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it (John 1:5).
John 1:14 captures the miracle:
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”
The Christmas Story in Full Awe
Matthew 1:21-23 tells us the purpose behind the miracle:
A virgin shall give birth to a son, and His name will be called Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
He came not to impress but to save.
He came not with pomp but with purpose.
I’m thankful for the faithfulness of Mary and Joseph. But my awe is not in them, it’s in the God who orchestrated it all because He loved me enough to come close.
The Shepherds’ Response: Glorifying and Praising
Luke 2 recounts how shepherds encountered the angelic announcement and hurried to Bethlehem to see the child. Their response?
They returned glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen.
They didn’t stay at the manger, they carried the awe with them. They were changed.
And this is what God desires for us: not a seasonal awe, but a sustained reverence that impacts our everyday life.
Paul David Tripp again reminds us:
“I was wired for awe of God. No other awe satisfies the soul.”
Why Did He Come?
Galatians 4:4-7 gives us the “why”:
“When the right time came, God sent His Son… to buy freedom for us… so we could be adopted as His very own children.”
Through Jesus, we are no longer slaves, we are sons and daughters. And as His children, we are also heirs of everything He has promised.
Final Reflection: Don’t Let Awe Be Seasonal
As the tinsel comes down and the wrapping paper fades, let’s not pack away our awe. Because the true miracle of Christmas isn’t a moment, it’s a person. And His name is Jesus.
Let’s carry the awe of God into January, February, and every season that follows.
Stay amazed. Stay grateful. Stay in awe.
