I watched our grandchildren pretend to step back in America’s history as they vacationed with us in Williamsburg, VA. Watching the wonder displayed on their faces stirred my heart to see as a child once again.

Our youngest granddaughter, Gracie, was excused from school by working on a project called “Flat Stanley.” Her teacher required “Flat Stanley” to travel to the historical places with Gracie, and for pictures to be taken of his so-called adventures. You have to be young-at-heart to see the world through the eyes of a 7-year-old and her companion paper doll [explaining why he was flat].

Wonder lies at the core of our fascination. It’s the miraculous and the amazing that cause us to experience its beauty. Usually we associate wonder with childhood. But what happens to us? We grow up…become responsible…become objective…and leave precious little room for wonder. Gracie and “Flat Stanley” helped to stir my interest for more.

Jesus taught His disciples that maturing faith is also child-like faith. Matthew 18:3-5 reads: “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom  of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.”

Christmas beauty in Williamsburg, or wherever we find ourselves, brings us to the heart of the very reason for wonder: the Christ child. The world changed forever that magical morning when He entered earth in human form. A door of wonder was opened to us. Jesus said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock…”[Revelation 3:20] He opened Himself to us so that we can experience the child-like wonder of the greatest love ever expressed to mankind.

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts towards us; there is none to compare with You; if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” [Psalm 40:5]