There is nothing like a child’s amazement. It was one of those snowfalls that brought the amazement of a child, “Papa! Look at what I caught! It’s a snowflake! And you can see all its parts.” That’s a snowflake, I thought routinely. Surely my eight year old son had seen a snowflake before. Maybe he had and maybe he had forgotten. It only took a second, but then I also remembered. “It’s amazing isn’t it? Did you know that you have them all over your coat and not one of them is the same as another?” “Cool!” he said as he closely examined each of the flakes.

You need not look further than the snowflakes to see how amazing our creator God is. But don’t stop there. Even more amazing is our salvation.

The gospel of Luke gives us the account of Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem with his parents at the age of twelve. Mary and Joseph took the annual trip to Jerusalem for the celebration of the Passover. Luke records that as the families were leaving, Jesus was not to be found. But after searching, he was found. He was found in a place that should have been obvious to his parents. He was found at the temple. He was found, not listening and learning on this day, but teaching and amazing all that heard him.

Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Luke 2:47

As the Christ-child, in true humility, he was learning and growing just like you and me. But as the true God he knew and taught like no one they had ever heard before. And they were amazed, as should we. Jesus is Lord and he is our salvation.

Have you lost the excitement over God’s amazing creation? Is the makeup of a snowflake old news to you or do you still get amazed? The busyness and troubles of this life make it hard at times to be amazed at the wonders of creation. How about your salvation? Are you still amazed?

The troubles and busyness of this life can even block out our amazement of our salvation. It’s not that God’s love is less amazing. It’s not that Jesus’ sacrifice for sin is any less amazing. It’s our sinful nature that forgets how amazing it is that God would love us in our sin and give us Jesus. It’s our weak sinful nature that fails to trust in God’s amazing providence.

It’s the amazing grace of God that forgives us even for a lack of amazement. Be amazed this year. Fill yourself with God’s Word that shows us again how amazing he is. Partake again in the amazing nourishment of the Lord’s body and blood in the sacrament. Be amazed at how God is amazed with you, making you his child through faith in Jesus. Be amazed at what God will do with your life. Be amazed with God and see that you are even more special than the wonderful snowflakes that fall from the sky.

Are you ready to be amazed in the New Year?  Just open your eyes. Open the Word. Be amazed at your salvation. Be amazed at what the Lord has done and is doing. Be amazed at what the Lord will do in your life and the opportunities to amaze others with Jesus.  It will be an Amazing year!

Keep Christ First!

Pastor Chris Christenson