“May we never lose our wonder.”
”Wide eyed and mystified, may we be just like a child, staring at the beauty of the King.” –Amanda Cook
A few weeks back, I was sitting in Mass with my 3-year-old nestled on my lap. I had just received Holy Communion, and was trying to revel in the love that Jesus wanted to give me. Yet I was also distracted. Thoughts of the day’s schedule, worries about the future, and hints of doubt and desolation played at my consciousness. I tried in earnest to push all aside and just be. Yet try as I might, my heart was divided.
I took a breath and turned my attention to my daughter on my lap. If I couldn’t fully receive God’s love in this moment, at least I could give it away. “Ana,” I whispered in her ear, “Jesus loves you, so very much. Never forget that.” She smiled and continued playing on my lap.
Then suddenly, a few minutes later, she said to me, “Mommy?”
“Yes, Ana?”
“Jesus loves you too.”
Cue the tears.
It’s moments like these that stop me in my tracks.
For a 3-year-old to grasp the beauty of the gospel in the most simple and profound way, and then be a vehicle of that grace to her own mother, filled me with awe and wonder.
Wonder.
During the holiday season, the word ‘wonder’ pops up frequently in carols and hymns. But have you ever taken the time to reflect on what it means to ‘wonder’?
At the start of each New Year, I have taken up the practice of picking a word of the year. This word is typically something that I feel called to grow in or meditate on throughout the year. (Or sometimes it’s just a randomly generated word from this Word of the Year website by Jen Fulwiler, but hey, the Holy Spirit can still work through that!)
During last Advent season, the word ‘wonder’ kept piquing my attention so much that I decided to take it as my word for the upcoming new year.
What does it mean to 'wonder'?
Wonder is an interesting word from a literary perspective. It can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adjective depending on the context. Because of this, there are many ways to define ‘wonder’ but my favorite is this: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience.
This makes Advent the perfect season to grow in wonder. Advent is a season of anticipation. It is given to us by Holy Mother Church as a preparation for the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. Yet Advent also pushes us to reflect on our own arrival in heaven someday. Not only do we ready ourselves to commemorate Jesus’ birth at Christmas—we ready our souls for the arrival of Jesus at the end of time, or at the end of our own earthly time.
Are you approaching Advent with rapt attention or astonishment? Do you consider the incarnation of Jesus to be awesomely mysterious? Shouldn’t encountering Jesus, whether for the first time or for the last time, make for a new experience? Let us ‘wonder’ together, friends. Advent is the perfect time for this.
Let us consider some practical ways we can increase our wonder this Advent season.
- Study—Our call as Christians to immerse ourselves in God’s words and in God’s teachings is ever present. Consider using this Advent season to pick up a new scripture study or devotional. Check out your favorite Catholic prayer app or Catholic publishing company for some good ideas.
- Pray—Spend extra time in prayer during these four weeks before Christmas. If you have a local Adoration Chapel, sign up for a weekly hour for the season of Advent, or pop in before or after work a couple days a week. Adoration is the perfect place to 'wonder' at the love Jesus has for you. Also, consider adding an extra rosary into your prayer routine, or begin a (new) daily prayer routine.
- Grow—Let your excitement for Christmas grow with the weeks. Add a few new Christmas decorations to your space each Sunday of Advent, rather than putting everything up at once. Or if you don’t typically decorate for Christmas, pick a few new items to add to your possessions. If you don’t have an Advent wreath, that should be your first purchase! Plus, there is nothing like the cozy glow of lights to pique that wonder and anticipation.
This year, I hope you can take this Advent season seriously—the Church entrusts it to us every year for the good of our souls. Happy wondering!
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