In ancient times, magic was performed by many groups, including pagans and even Jews, with the goals of healing diseases, bringing physical blessings, cursing or otherwise harming others, and guarding against curses and demons. Many magicians also claimed to be able to tell the future. As such, magicians would captivate their audiences with their trickery and as a result gain significant notoriety and followings.

In this week's passage, we come across one of these magicians, Simon the sorcerer. Its alleged that Simon was the founder of Gnostic heresies, that he was a perverter of Christian doctrine in Rome, and that he once became involved in a miracle contest with the apostle Peter, and lost. In Acts 8:9, we're introduced to this infamous character. "But there was a man named Simon, who had preciously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great."

Simon and his magical arts captivated the masses, causing great awe and wonder to pass over his audiences. And their reactions caused them to think quite highly of Simon. But those ancient Samaritans of his day are not all that different than you and me today. Have you ever been to a magic show that left you in awe and wonder and asking the question - "How did they do that?" We were made to wonder and be intrigued by things we experience through the senses. However, could it be that God created our five senses so as to perceive a greater reality beyond those senses? How many times are we overcome with amazement by things of creation, and yet forget to see the wonder of the Creator.

Scripture tells us that in fact, all creation actually testifies to the glory of God. Paul writes in Romans 1:20, "For his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Many of the Samaritans thought Simon had great power, and its unclear as to whether or not some even considered him divine. When we are captivated by things in the created order, are we in awe of the things themselves, or do they cause us to look back to the Creator in great wonder?

This week, I want to challenge you to see the things in this world as a great billboard or neon sign, all pointing to and telling of a wonderous Creator. The angel told the shepherds in Luke 2:12 that a sign of the Savior, who is Christ the Lord, would be that of a baby, wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. What seemingly normal things will we encounter this week that will speak of and point to a wonderful, gracious and loving God? Christmas is all about wonder - the wonder of a God who spoke the universe into creation; the wonder of a God who formed the mountains and painted the skies; the wonder of a God who created man in his own image; and the wonder of a God who became one of us, so that we might become like him and be with him for all eternity.

That is the wonder of Christmas!