Matt 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." NKJV
  
     In my community we have a wonderful theater called the Paramount.  It is as old as downtown and it is rich with history.  A friend of mine made this comment as we sat during an intermission, "If these walls could talk."  We enjoyed a wonderful evening with our staff and grace elders this past weekend by having a meal together and then driving downtown to see "A White Christmas" at the Paramount.  I felt like a child as I sat in that wonderful historic theater watching Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen take us to another place and time.  In fact, I smiled so much through the whole movie that my jaws were hurting by the time it was over.  It was a "wonder-full" evening.  "Wonderful" i.e. full of wonder.

     The definition of "wonder" is a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected or inexplicable.  I never want to lose my sense of wonder.  Life can bring things our way that can harden or cause us to become jaded.  We feel the weight and stress of difficulties and distractions.  I have been fighting for my sense of wonder during this Christmas season.  It seems that many around me have lost their sense of wonder along the way.  The cover of Time magazine recently called 2009 "The Year from Hell."  It's hard to maintain your sense of wonder when the culture is screaming that the sky is falling.  I want to remind you to guard your heart and your mind in these times.  Do not allow anything to rob you of your sense of wonder.  Sit down with the family, count your many blessings, watch some of the Christmas classics, eat some fudge and experience the wonder of CHRISTmas!  Remember, his name is Emmanuel, God with us.  Have a "wonder-full" day!

Blessings,
Pastor J