This week, our Young Adult Pastor, Adina Olson, delivered a powerful message to launch our Christmas series, The Wonder of Christmas. She invited us to behold the wonder of the manger, where God’s long-promised salvation arrived clothed in unexpected humility. In Jesus’ birth, we see God’s faithfulness, His willingness to take on human flesh, and His mission to bring peace and redemption to all. Through the quiet obedience of Mary and Joseph and the hidden glory of Christ’s identity, we are reminded that the manger already pointed to the cross—and to the hope it would secure for us.
“In the manger, divine glory hid itself in human form so that humanity could behold God without being destroyed.” -Watchman Nee
Luke 2:1–7 (ESV)
“1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
The Wonder of Fulfillment
The manger is God saying, “I keep my word.”
“Christmas is God walking into the world in disguise, so that hungry hearts might finally find Him.” -A.W. Tozer
The Wonder of Humility
Philippians 2:6–7 (AMP)
6who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; 7but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].
“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” -Athanasius
The Wonder of God’s Presence
John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Wonder of Salvation and Peace
“The cradle and the cross are made of the same wood. You cannot look at the manger withoutseeing the mission.” -Leonard Ravenhill
Ephesians 2:17-18
17He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
The Wonder of Mary and Joseph’s Faithfulness
Mary and Joseph carried a promise they didn’t fully understand, yet they walked in obedience, trusting in God’s faithfulness.
The four living creatures around the throne never grow weary of crying, “Holy, holy, holy!”
Have we allowed our wonder for the King—and the story of the manger—to grow dim?
The Wonder of Christ’s Identity
“The King of glory slept in a feeding trough, yet all heaven and earth worshiped at His feet.” -F.B. Meyer
Discussion Questions:
- How did learning the historical and cultural background of Luke 2 change or deepen your understanding of the manger?
- Which of the six wonders—fulfillment, humility, God’s presence, salvation and peace, faithfulness, or Christ’s identity—spoke to you most strongly and why?
- Pastor Adina shared that familiarity could dull our sense of wonder. In what ways have you seen this happen in your own life, especially around the Christmas story?
- Mary and Joseph obeyed God even when the path was difficult and unclear. What does their faithfulness teach us about following God in seasons where things feel inconvenient, costly, or confusing?
Application question:
- Where has wonder grown dim in my walk with Jesus, and what intentional steps can I take this week to “look again” and see Him with fresh eyes?
- What “thank you” do I need to offer God today that would help restore gratitude and stir awe in my heart?
- Which truth about Jesus’ identity (Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, etc.) do I need to embrace more fully right now, and how will that reshape how I live this week?