O Tidings of Wonder and Joy.

Most times we come to know God through Faith (a believing without seeing). And this faith comes from what is revealed through Sacred Scripture. This word is spoken by God and given human words through the Holy Spirit.

So Jesus (the Word made Flesh) says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, or, “I am the Resurrection and the Life”, or, “I am the Good Shepherd leading my sheep into eternal life.” And in response Peter said, “Oh Lord, you alone have the words of eternal life.” So Faith in God’s Word opens the door to heaven.

But there is something else that can happen. Sometimes before faith happens one can have an experience that leads them to consider the existence of God. (OR, sometimes, someone HAS faith but this experience helps it grow.)

What is this experience? It’s called Wonder. Children have it all the time. Hopefully you’ve had it too. It starts with a simple observation of life around us and leads to a “moment” where we experience the beauty or mystery contained in what just happened. “It knocked me out”, we say.

It’s something that takes us “out of ourselves”, to see and feel “the other”. I tried to think of human experiences that are packed with the stuff of beauty or mystery. (They all take a moment to sink in . . . go slowly).

For example:

• The ocean, the waves, the horizon
• Seagulls riding a lake breeze
• The folds and color of a rose
• A baby’s smell
• The eyes of a child
• The full moon on new snow
• A lover’s first “I love you”
• Hearing “I love you too”
• A base hit in little league (joy!)
• The day you could finally ride a bike
• As a kid, sitting on your dad’s lap, playing with his giant fingers
• Really hearing a great piece of music
• Finishing some effort that took everything you had . . . you break into tears
• Winning a game in triple overtime
• Losing a game in triple overtime
• Being a part of a losing team . . . that loves each other
• Reading a book that lets you see something you’d never known or imagined
• Watching a mother’s patience with a fussing child
• Suddenly realizing that your life is pretty blessed
• (What would you add are your moments . . . . ?)

None of these moments happen in church. What do they have to do with God? Each of them can open a window that lets us see a beauty that points to The Ancient Mys- tery (a love and beauty that existed long before I came into the world). Again, it is the experience we call “wonder.”

Read psalms 8 or 139 for one of those moments. It all leads to a surrender in faith . . . “Oh Lord, How great you are. Thank you for letting me live and have my being. Thank you for letting me see/feel this moment”

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I hope you take time these weeks of Advent to experience the beauty of this world and of our lives as human beings. Don’t try too hard though. Just let the moment be what it wants to be in you.

It’s all a gift. Just say “thank you Lord.”

Remember God loves you and made this world for us. Advent blessings.

Fr. Tim