“Wonder all around” is the favorite phrase of Kathryn Shields, a friend and writer. She produces beautiful videos filled with her poetry alongside photographs of God’s intricate creation. This wonder-filled phrase has kept swirling in my head ever since she first shared it with me.                                                     

– And especially this Advent/Christmas season, as we hear about Jesus Christ, born again in and among us today! It is the Incarnation, the core miracle of God’s Good News: the mystery of Emmanuel, “God With Us.” It is certainly no surprise that young Mary pondered over the angel’s news that she would actually give birth to the Son of God.

Even those heavenly bystanders, the angels — imagine what they must have thought about it all! On public radio recently I heard some delightful fifteenth century Spanish Christmas music. It expressed the wonder and joy of the angels as they sang about Jesus’ birth while singing above the very animal stall where he was born that night. The music captures how the angels must have cavorted and somersaulted in the night sky in uncontainable delight.

Wonder all around! My soul dances with the angels, that God would love us all so much.

A joyous Christmas to you!

Betsy Schwarzentraub