The Wonder of a Child
Listen: “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Christmas was always a magical time of year as a child—no school, sledding for hours, ice skating on ponds, presents, Santa, and the Christ child. In my teen years, I found a new enchantment—the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. I began taking annual trips to explore the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. I loved hiking, rock climbing, fly fishing, praying, dreaming, journaling, and meditating in the mountains. My annual trips were a time to reflect on my life—where I have been and where I was going—but mostly, it was a time of awe and wonder. Whether napping in the snow at a high mountain lake in Rawah Wilderness or hoping gale-force winds in the Collegiate Peaks wouldn’t shred my new tent. I always sensed a magical presence in the mountains—a connection with God and childlike wonder.
G. K. Chesterton was an English writer, philosopher, lay theologian, and literary art critic. In an essay entitled “The Ethics of Elfland,” he pointed out how you can learn the most essential things from children’s stories (Orthodoxy: The Romance of Faith). Chesterton reflected on five truths contained in most children’s stories: (1) the world does not explain itself; it just exists; (2) wonder and beauty come from someone or something magical; (3) beauty connects to an original design, even though dragons exist; (4) humility and gratitude are appropriate responses; and (5) all goodness is a treasure.
Children are wired to see the wonder and magic in the world around them. I remember creating a swing with my arms and hands to rotate one of my nephews (two years old at the time) around in circles. He would giggle with all his might and then say, “Do it again.” After twenty minutes I was worn out, but he was ready for more—“Do it again!”
A child’s capacity to watch a cartoon repeatedly with the same sense of awe and wonder is amazing. Why do we as adults so quickly lose this childlike capacity to enjoy something so utterly spectacular again and again? Maybe there is something eternally childlike hardwired into the universe to which we need to stay connected. Perhaps the earth says to the rising sun, “Do it again!”
Our brains function so that negative emotions stick like glue (in the amygdala) and positive emotions slip away like Teflon. (See Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson.) To reacquire childlike wonder, we need to pause and focus on something good, lovely, beautiful, and awe- inspiring for fifteen seconds or more before it affects our experience and mood. Some people do this by keeping a gratitude list, participating in a creative outlet, enjoying nature, or meditating.
In my darkest days (2019), I was drowning in negative emotions. I had to consciously tune my awareness towards wonder, awe, and gratitude. Positive experiences and emotions I once had in abundance were in short supply in 2019. I found my most significant sources of inspiration in nature and people. Nature is a place where I find infinite enchantment. Before I felt called to be a pastor, I thought about a career in biology, forestry, or wildlife. I am endlessly fascinated with the universe, planet Earth, and its inhabitants. People’s stories are another favorite source of wonder and inspiration—the stories of love, courage, heartache, defeat, and recovery.
It’s no surprise to me that Jesus said we need to become more like children to enter into the experience of the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:1-6; Mark 10:13-16). Have a blessed Hanukkah and Christmas season.
Shalom
©realfredherron, 2024
