Have you ever thought of “awe” as a gift? In her recent book, The Six Conversations, author Heather Holleman says that “Awe involves marveling at something sacred, vast, supernatural, mysterious, and so beautiful you feel overcome by the thing you are thinking about or experiencing.” Awe is a breathtaking moment, and it’s benefits don’t stop there. Take a look at all of the gifts Holleman associates with a person who cultivates awe:
- Kindness
- Patience
- Gratitude
- Happiness
- Increasing life satisfaction
- Creativity
- Lowered inflammation in the body
Moreover, the person who looks for opportunities to marvel will find themselves less self-focused, more socially connected and more apt to seek the good of others over self. And Holleman’s book encourages us not only to look for awe-striking moments ourselves, but to invite others to marvel with us.
So, that’s what we are going to do. All through the month of December, we are looking at the Christmas story through the lens of marveling. On Monday, December 4th, we will share a full schedule of blog posts exploring various people who marveled in unique ways as they witnessed the birth and young life of the Christ child. Our hope is that by exploring the awestruck experiences of people at the first Christmas, we all will marvel more at God’s great story, as well. His plan is so much greater, deeper and higher than we can imagine! Why not let this Christmas be a time to understand its profundity just a bit more?
As we challenge ourselves to pause and take in God’s miraculous story, we might find ourselves hitting some obstacles. Because, while we certainly want to be present in every moment of Christmas, the truth is that many circumstances battle for our attention and affections. Wonderment stirs our thoughts and points us in a new direction, away from the busyness of Christmas. However, we lose our ability to marvel when we look at our crammed calendars, endless to do lists, and our stretched budgets as we go into debt attempting to have the perfect Christmas. We often plan, decorate, orchestrate, shop, invite and wrap as if that’s what Christmas is all about. Wouldn’t it be nice if Christmas was really like a Hallmark commercial or movie where every plot line comes together almost magically? Yet, even the first Christmas, when Jesus was born, overflowed with seeming imperfections. There were hopes, but also hardships, promises, as well as pain. Because Jesus didn’t come to this earth for the perfect. He was born in a lowly manger, to serve others who are lowly, poor, and oppressed. That thought alone strikes awe!
This Christmas, let us wonder, marvel and be awed by God’s true and gracious story. Let us invite others to join us. Wonder causes us to stop, bask, and soak in the place/environment where we are. It draws our attention to a deeper meaning and purpose. In a world that seems wrought with division and overwhelmed by sadness and difficult circumstances we need wonder. Marveling eclipses the ordinary with extraordinary things that leave us not only feeling surprised and awe-struck, but also acutely aware that God’s story is vast, amazing and so worth exploring. Have a marvel-ous Christmas, friend!
The Sublime Soiree © December 1, 2023
