I have decided again that this Advent and Christmas will not be stressful. Which is partly successful. Fewer gifts and parties because the kids are grown. Fewer cookies to bake because I'm limiting my sugar intake. (Although I'd like to try date cookies.) Unfortunately, there's also less sledding because it's raining instead of snowing. There is snow on the mountains, but not enough. You can still go for nice walks. But there are more meetings and events at church I have to be part of this year. That's why there's sometimes a lot going on despite my decision.
I look out of the window: The raindrops are getting thicker, maybe it will be wet snow soon? Further up, the raindrops must be snow anyway, because it's snowing on the mountains. So the raindrops outside my window are actually melted snowflakes. Wet snow. It doesn't fall softly and quietly, but hits the windowsill with little knocks.
It feels good to sit in front of the laptop and play with words and thoughts.
This week I studied the words “marvel” and “hope”. I would not have thought that “staunen” is such a young word in German, appearing only in the 18th century. It actually comes from Switzerland. A synonym for astonishment is wonder. Although I like wondering even better, because it reminds me of miracles and wonders. But astonishment is also nice because it makes you think of children under the Christmas tree. Amazement is something that many adults have forgotten. We have experienced and seen so much. But Jesus says that we should become like children. Be amazed like a child. At God's gifts to us. Wait for him with hope. Hope, by the way, comes from the old word hopping, which actually means to jump. Just as children jump in anticipation! (This one also works in English.)
God is wonderful. And in Isaiah he is even called a hero. I have to think of the Marvel movies with the superheroes. We can marvel at God. How strong and good he is. In Portuguese and Spanish, the Almighty is called "the all-rounder" or “the one who can do anything”. God is such a hero.
Language(s) help(s) me understand this better. To marvel more.
Also walks in the woods. And connecting with other people.
But no hurry. No shopping. And not my cell phone.
There is still more water than snow falling from the sky. But there are only a few meters of altitude between me and the mountains. This afternoon I want to go back to where I can marvel so well. I want to look for what amazes me. Even if it is always a surprise. Even if it is never the same experience. Because it is God who amazes us and for whom we really search. Because it is he we long for.
Because a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us
and the rule will be on his neck
and his name will be called:
Marvel, Counselor, God, Hero, eternal Father, Prince of peace.
Isaiah 9:5 (literally from the Hebrew Bible)