Community Church Sermons

Year A

December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

A Child Named Wonderful

Luke 2:8-20

Rev. Martin C. Singley, III

Some 700-years before the first Christmas, a prophet by the name of Isaiah foresaw dark days ahead for God’s people. Israel was a nation overshadowed by corruption, greed, and injustice. Frightening political currents swirled both inside and outside the nation as the Babylonian Empire to their east flexed its muscles and threatened the peace of the whole region. Israel didn’t know it then, but the predictions of the prophet would turn out to be true. The day was coming when deep darkness would cover the land.

And then the dark day of Israel’s worst nightmare arrived. The Babylonian armies swept across Judah. Jerusalem was destroyed - the Temple torn down – thousands were killed – and those who survived were marched off to Babylon as prisoners of war. For 60 long years they were held in exile. It was indeed that time of deep darkness. It was a living hell. Even when they were finally allowed to return home, the nation would never be the same again.

But Isaiah had seen in his vision more than doom and gloom. The prophet saw within that great national nightmare a glimmer of hope. Listen to the words his prophecy:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwelled in a land of deep darkness, upon them has the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And his name will be called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “the Prince of Peace!”

And 700 years after Isaiah predicted it, on a dark, cold night in a little town called Bethlehem…a baby cried.

His father named him “Jesus” which in Hebrew is “Yeshua” – which is translated into English as “Joshua”. Joshua was the Old Testament hero who succeeded Moses and triumphantly led the Israelites into the Promised Land generations ago. Joshua was the founding father of the nation. And now this new “Yeshua” would give Israel a new start. He would save the people from their sins, and deliver them from their enemies. The baby born that night – THIS night - was the long-awaited Messiah!

And as we travel back through time this evening, remembering the story of Jesus’ birth, how he was wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in a manger, and how angels sang, and shepherds came, and magi from the east brought him gifts, let us also remember that long before his father named him Jesus, this Messiah-Child had been given other names by the prophet:

“…Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

Tonight, on Christmas Eve 2010, I want us to think for a few minutes about one of those prophetic names given to Jesus. Let’s think about this child who was named “Wonderful.”

According to dictionary.com the word “wonderful” means “excellent” – “great” – “marvelous”.

And there is no doubt about it, Jesus’ life can easily be described as “excellent,” “great,” and “marvelous.” I think Jesus is the most wonderful man who ever lived!

But the word “wonderful” has another definition that I think is more in line with what Isaiah had in mind and is worth our considering tonight. “Wonderful” also means “of a sort that causes one to wonder” – or, “to be full of wonder”!

Our newest little granddaughter Avery – just coming up on 4-months old – is full of wonder. She is especially attracted to ceiling fans! Avery might get fussy because she is hungry or has a wet diaper, but if you go and turn on the ceiling fan, life is good again! She lies there just looking up at that fan, wondering!

And Avery is experiencing the wonder of her first Christmas. When our daughter Bethany carries her into the living room of their house, Avery locks onto the lights of the Christmas tree and it’s like a miracle! “WOW, mom! Would you look at those lights! They’re amazing!”

And if Beth takes the baby out of the room and then returns a few minutes later, it’s as if she’s never seen them before. “WOW! Mom, where did THOSE come from?”

Little babies are full of wonder!

What do you suppose baby Jesus wondered about as his mother held him, and his father watched over him? What did he wonder about as shepherds came, magi brought gifts, and angels sang in the sky? What do you think Jesus wondered about as he grew from babyhood into boyhood, and then from boyhood into manhood?

Jesus, Isaiah said, would be wonderfully full of wonder.

I wonder if, like baby Avery and like big people like us, Jesus wondered about the beautiful wonders of life – like ceiling fans and Christmas tree lights – sunrises and sunsets – rainbows and eclipses – parents who love – grandmothers who bake – friends who make you laugh – songs that touch your heart – the intricate mysteries of nature like how birds fly, why ladybugs bring good luck, and how ants can carry 10 to 20 times their own weight.

I’ll bet Jesus wondered about stuff like that. Life overflows with beautiful things to wonder about. Life is WONDERFUL!

And I’ll bet Jesus wondered – as he grew older – about the great sadnesses of life – like floods and other natural disasters – how some cells become cancerous – why people have to die – how people sometimes treat each other like dirt – why anyone would ever go hungry in a world so full of plenty – how governments can oppress their own people – why some people are denied basic human rights simply because they are different – why there are wars and rumors of war.

I wonder about these sad things, too. Maybe you wonder about the sadnesses, as well.

So maybe God has given us a very special Christmas gift simply by naming this child “Wonderful.”

Maybe God is inviting you and me to become WONDERFUL, too!

If you can look out every day with a sense of wonder – and drink in the beauty of creation – and be awestruck by the mysteries of life – you will receive a gift from God that will guide your path and help you change the world. You see, when you become aware of the beautiful wonders of life, you become all the more sensitive to the things of life that are NOT so beautiful or wonderful.

And then you have to make a choice: to focus your life on enjoying the beauty while ignoring the sadness, or to give your life over to making sad things beautiful.

Jesus took all the beautiful wonders of life, and then poured them out through his own life to make us well, and to make the world right.

He was indeed a child named “Wonderful.”

And so are you!

So tonight, on Christmas Eve, take some time to wonder about Jesus – his life – his teachings – his love for people.

And take some time to wonder about the world all around you – both its beauty and its sadness.

And then – like Jesus – go and do something about it.

Go this night, and be WONDER-FULL!