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Wonder: A feeling of mingled surprise
and curiosity; astonishment. |
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Dan Duff - December 17, 2011 |
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We are fast approaching the most wonderful time of
the year. It is surely a feeling of mingled surprise and curiosity.
The young ones are wide eyed and watching every move the adults
make. They know something is up and are extremely nervous with
anticipation. When they are out at the mall, they are agog at the
bright packages and ribbons. They see Christmas trees decorated with
colored lights and at the sight of that little old man in the red
suit they become a bundle of nerves. If they get to speak to him
they stammer and stutter their way through their list and forget to
tell him at least half of the things they want.
The closer they get to December 25th, the more the wonder becomes
more intense. Is he for real? Some of their peers tell them he
doesn’t exist. Some say he does and that they had actually heard him
as he went about his work on Christmas Eve.
The house is filled with the aroma of baking. The ginger and
cinnamon float through the air like a heavy balloon. The Christmas
tree is placed at a strategic place. Christmas cards adorn the
mantel and a Yule log burns around the clock.
There have been some mysterious things going on around the house. A
lot of whispering and under breath giggling. If he doesn’t exist
then there must be presents stashed somewhere in the house. They
look, but not to closely. What if they find them. Not only would it
ruin their Christmas, but it would break the grown up’s hearts as
well. Nope, for another year they will believe that he does go
around the world on that magical night and leave toys for good boys
and girls.
Let me, if I may, give you a little scenario to sum all this up: My
great grandson Zachary, who is 7, and I were talking on the phone
the other night. He and his parents are in Germany with the army and
I was trying to get a feel for what he would like to have for
Christmas;
“So Zachary, what would you like for Christmas?”
“I already told Santa Claus what I want,” answered Zach.
After some more small talk I decided to delve a little further,
“Zachary what did you ask Santa to bring you this year?”
“Well, give me a minute, I have to go into the bedroom, I don’t want
my mom and dad to hear what I told Santa.”
So maybe all this wonder is better served with some faith. Zachary
has put his faith in a man called Santa, because his parents told
him to go up there and tell that little guy with the red suit what
he wanted. Maybe what we need to do is think about the reason for
the season and put some faith into it.
I passed a little country church last week and their lighted sign
out front exclaimed, “Wise men still seek Him.”
Here is hoping you Christmas season is filled with wonder.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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