The Road To: Wonder
The Road to: Wonder (the verb)
I wonder, do you wonder about things? Or do you just wander without wondering? The other day I was taking a walk. Distracted by a thought, I reached for my phone and typed in a search for an answer. It led me to scroll down. I had wondered about something and I wandered right past my turnoff to home!! Have you ever wondered as you have wandered??
"I Wonder as I Wander" is a Christian folk hymn, typically performed as a Christmas carol, written in 1933 by American folklorist and singer John Jacob Niles.
Wikipedia
The first two verses:
I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus, the savior, had come for to die
For poor on'ry people, like you and like i.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus, t'was in a cow's stall
With wisemen and farmers and shepherds and all,
But high in God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages, it then did recall.
Since we’ve just experienced our Christmas celebrations, remembrances, et al, do you wonder? What was Mary thinking at the time of the birth of Jesus – we have scriptural reference in Matthew and Luke, but these refer to her thoughts earlier when she learns what is going to happen. Put yourself in her place on that birth day. What would you wonder? What do you wonder about her?
What about the shepherds? What did they wonder about? We know they were afraid. (would you be?). What were they saying to each other? I wonder.
And the Magi, we also have songs and scripture to give us some insight. Were they kings? What were Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar talking to one another about as they followed the star? I wonder. Some say they came from different countries: Persia, India and Arabia. While others think they all came from Ancient Persia, their affinity was astrology and, following a star, they met at Herod’s palace in Jerusalem. Wouldn’t you like more insight into that meeting? And what was the discussion like (can you imagine?) when they interpreted the dream that caused them to return by another route and disobey Herod? How did they come to the decision to resist Herod in his quest to kill the baby Jesus? I know I would have questions, lots of questions!
Wonder has many definitions and interpretations. In philosophy we get this insight:
In Plato’s Theaetetus, Socrates presents the young Theatetus with a number of contradictions. This is the exchange that ensues.
S: I believe that you follow me, Theaetetus; for I suspect that you have thought of these questions before now.
T: Yes, Socrates, and I am amazed when I think of them; by the Gods I am! and I want to know what on earth they mean; and there are times when my head
quite swims with the contemplation of them.
S: I see, my dear Theaetetus, that Theodorus had a true insight into your nature when he said that you were a philosopher, for wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder. Neal Burton
Wondering is a wonderful thing – it’s part of our humanity. It’s tied to curiosity, seeking answers. Our scientific advances begin with wondering. It begins with a question or wanting to know more about something. It leads to discoveries and even more questions. Wondering can lead to enjoyment of a good mystery novel.
Wonder takes many forms. On Christmas morning (or Eve depending on your family tradition) did you look at a gift under the tree and wonder what was in it? Imagine the wonder surrounding the manger scene!
Sometimes wondering can “scratch an itch” or raise your curiosity. It’s like we can wander into a changing set of policies at work which we are asked to accept. But we wonder what the implications of the change are – so wonder seeks answers. Wondering can also come from basic curiosity – how does a caterpillar change to a butterfly?
I’m wondering if you wonder too, or do you just wander like I did on my walk? (Are you willing to share your thoughts?)
Praying for You,
PB
Community Presbyterian Church
32202 Del Obispo
San Juan Capistrano. CA 92675
949-493-1502
info@sjcpres.org