Why This is What We Need to Reclaim Wonder in the Weary Once More

At the end of the longest, most painful year, who doesn’t need the longest, most meaningful holiday season?

That’s what I’m thinking as I weave through the Christmas decor section of Target.

I mean, in a year that couldn’t end too quickly, early thanks and early celebration is a smart tactic. Aren’t you weary? I know I am. In a year that didn’t really feel like a year, but more like an extended, lousy staycation, the weary world is heavy.

That wreath! Oh that sign! I’m throwing everything Christmas-y into the bright red cart. The wonder of the season has taken over my eyes and arms and legs and I’m brimming with hope.

Hope that I could make my little cabin home a cozy abode of renewal, of anticipation, of decked-out wonder. We could all use a little wonder, a little sparkle in our eyes reflecting the string lights we’re lining our homes with. Maybe it’s time to start it all early - the wonder.

Adam, smell this candle! Do you like it? I think I like it. Our senses have literally been masked for months and it’s astonishingly refreshing to free them for their purpose once again. To make us feel alive again.

This whole journey through Target has my whole being awakening to new. New hope, new anticipation, new joys, new $3 silver pine trees, and all their sparkles attaching to all over my hands. I couldn’t care less. I’m propelling through Target with creativity and the husband must keep up because there is no turning back.

For someone who is normally mellow, enthusiasm is a workout. I’m so positively overwhelmed by every single possibility. Supercharged Esther is on a completely different planet.

I’m scanning the aisles like an essay I’m about to finish. I stop and ponder an advent calendar, groping it with wide-eyed wonder. Wonder over the grace and abundant love over the Savior of the world, marveling over every soft side and edge of this golden, embroidered idea of love, fabricated into my own fearfully and wonderfully-made being that is I.

I hand it to my husband. Look! Isn’t this beautiful? Yes, it’s beautiful.

Because nothing beautiful isn’t held and molded intricately into whole pieces. God’s within.

And yet we seek so fervently...so feverishly? on the outside. Seeking love, seeking things, seeking media, seeking influencers - we are seeking, whether we realize it or not, the presence of Jesus. We scroll to find the right presence to impact us and present us with meaning of some kind. But we know the only meaning we’ve ever needed was already born and presented, as lowly as you could ever go, to a pure beginning of hope wrapped up and handed over to human hands - our human hands - because aren’t they etched with the same love and wonder of the One seeking us?

And I internally nod to more Christmas cheer - stockings and stocking holders. We must come back for stocking stuffers, I say over my shoulder.

Because isn’t all simple stuffing and stuffers the simple, ordinary gifts of Love Himself? This is the year to gift wonder to each other. There is nothing more important. Nothing more at risk.

His Story, His Gift - our Story, our Gift.

An eternal inheritance, at large. That’s the real wonder, wouldn’t you say?

Reclaim Christmas - reclaim our wonder. The wonder of Him who came.