“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8)

“Godspeed, John Glenn” were the infamous words that were spoken by astronaut Scott Carpenter as his fellow Mercury 7 astronaut was launched into space from Cape Canaveral on April 12, 1961. It was a solo mission which only lasted just shy of five hours, but Glenn will always be remembered as the first American to orbit the earth. He did so at the age of 40. He is quoted as once having said. “There is still no cure for the common birthday.” However, thirty-seven years later in 1998 – he ventured into space again, this time for nine days testing the effects of space travel on an aging body. Having become fascinated with flying at a young age, he piloted his own personal plane until he was 90. On December 8, 2016 – he left earth for the final time, marking his passing at the ripe old age of 95. Those who were part of the generation serving witness to his pioneering into space will remember his missions with awe and amazement.

These days, I have considered if we view much of anything with the same sense of awe and wonder that we once did. I can remember my early Christmases with what must be a much different perspective than that of today’s children. Then, there was a feeling of anticipation that doesn’t seem to exist much today. These days, children are barely back in school from summer break with Halloween yet in the distance when Christmas trees and other decorations start to populate the stores. By the time Christmas Day arrives, they have no doubt seen dozens of trees over the course of the past three months. What was once new and exciting has now become familiar and assumed. Not so long ago, the tree was as much a part of Christmas morning as the gifts and the evidence that Santa must have somehow shimmied his way down that chimney one more time. It is no surprise that many are just tired of it all and ready to pack it up the day after.

Awe and wonder are at the very root of our Christian walk. In the Holy Scriptures, Luke tells the story of a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by some men and lowered into a house from the roof on a mat because of the crowds. Seeing their faith, Jesus forgave the man of his sins but was criticized by the religious rulers of the day. “Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, ‘Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.’ Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home.’ And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, ‘We have seen amazing things today’” (Luke 5:22-26). It’s been said that when we allow our focus to be diverted away from God, we will cease to be amazed.  How true that is for many today.

After seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds began to spread the word of what they had been told and themselves witnessed. “And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them” (Luke 2:18). A sense of awe for what they had seen led them to glorify and praise God (Luke 2:20).  Max Lucado put it this way: “Off to one side sits a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him, and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.”  When nothing impresses us anymore, we must spend time with God. For when we rest in Him, even in the busiest of seasons – our eyes become more like those of the astronaut: focused beyond the things of this world and renewed once again with awe and amazement.

REFLECTION: What experiences elicit a sense of awe and wonder for you?  How can you allow the season of Advent to revitalize your relationship with Jesus?  Are there ways in which you can reach out to others this Christmas and help them to also find new wonderment in their life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 17, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.