I struggled to read Elfland, because of the old English. I learned that no one, Christian or not, can have joy without wonder. When I lose the wonder of Christ in my soul, Christian life become habitual and torturous. It is even more torturous when I know I should have love, joy and peace (Gal 5:22), if I don’t experience it deeply.

I finally forced myself to watch my first Harry Potter movie, Hallows Pt 1. Surprisingly I liked it mainly because of the Elf’s sacrifice to save Harry and his friends. In reading reviews it seemed that a prominent theme of Rowling is the sacrifice of Harry’s mom, Harry’s teacher, and finally even Harry himself, for the sake of others. What a central Christian theme!

Countless people love the Potter movies (8 Billion in ticket sales and counting!). But outside of the wonder of a relationship with Christ, the “feeling of wonder” will fade. Thus, the ongoing continuing craving for more wonders in alternate forms, especially in entertainment, the arts and sports.

I would pass by the store and see candles with an image of Saint Michael slaying the devil. Hear of a local priest that had to perform an exercism to free a child from the shackles of satan. Or read stories of people who were saved from horrendous car accidents and claimed that their guardian angel helped them.

I read books like the flowers of Saint Francis which told of how Saint Frances sparked a deal with Brother Wolf so that he could stop attacking the local villages. Watched movies like “Our Lady of Fatima” which retell the story of the Miracle of the sun and the prophesies of our Lady.

I have listen to nun’s talk about their marriage to Jesus, heard priest consecrate a host so that it may become the body and blood of Christ, been sprayed with holy water and celebrated many a Mass with the smell of incense in the air and the chant, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might! Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory.”

In short, part of what called me back to the Catholic church was the magic with Chesterton described in the book which parallels his own journal to Rome. I feel like I am telling you my testimony here =)
I guess I am just trying to say that I have been spiritually rejuvenated so many times by meditating on the “magic” of the Catholic Church and my fellowship with My Father in Heaven, my Savior Jesus Christ, my brothers the Saints and immaculate mother.

Tuf, could you tell us more about the magic you experience in your daily walk with Christ? Thank you again for writing this wonderful article.

Oh well, atleast they spread his ideas through their works. I am sure Chesterton would be quite flattered. =)

Not that I want the unbridled and somewhat naive giddyness of early Christianity back, but the joylessness of a “spiritual grind” really saps the depth and the joy of Christ out of life.

Anyway, I know He is present and I look forward to better days of basking in His love again.

Thanks, and I am glad you enjoyed it.

I never thought I could find an author I liked as much as Lewis, but I did.

Thanks for the excerpt.

“Atheism is really antitheism. It fails the test of logic on the philosophical level, the test of meaning set forth by the arts, and the test of practical application. The human penchant for meaning cannot be met by antitheism, neither can it be ignored. A child’s sense of wonder and a young adult’s search for truth and love need
fulfillment. A mature person’s experience with suffering demands answers. Only Christ, the God-man, brings truth to satisfy the intellect, love to restore the soul, and grace to heal the brokenness of suffering.”

“While some would attempt to distill meaning down to love alone,
as great as love is, it fails to fulfill the search. This search manifests itself differently in people of different ages and can be divided into four stages: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and maturity. The child seeks meaning through wonder. The world of children’s fairy tales sums up the crucial elements that engender wonder in the mind of a child. First, each tale has a moral principle encapsulated in it. Secondly, each tale has a set of conditions defined by the world of fairyland that are unalterable. Thirdly, the conditions are unquestionable. They are imparted by the tale’s author and add to not only the structure but mystery of the story. Cinderella never asks why her curfew is midnight,nor should the reader. Sadly, a thirst for knowledge often destroys a sense of wonder. People refuse to believe that there are and should be limitations to human knowledge, that mystery is a legitimate and even sacred part of life. Instead, they seek to understand the intricacies of all facets of the universe, touting any mystery as temporary until technology can catch up. A loss of wonder results in three tragedies: the reduction of the universe to its chemical components, the disappearance of gratitude, and an inevitable slide into meaninglessness.”

“As a child grows into adolescence, fantasy gives way to a search for
truth. Suppression of truth is pandemic in politics, in advertising, and even in the classroom. Past generations stood behind causes they believed in and sought security they considered obtainable. The present generation speaks a language of cynicism, having found no truth in causes and no fulfillment in monetary security. Young people today seek only someone with integrity, a relationship based on truth. Not surprisingly, this is exactly what Jesus offers, Himself as the embodiment of truth. While many of Christ’s followers have sullied His reputation by living contradictory to the values of the gospel, Christ’s own goodness should not be rejected on these grounds. Investigating the claims of Christ will yield a more accurate picture of who He is, and a relationship with Him
will reward the search for truth. Love, then, is the quarry of the young adult. In both Eastern and Western cultures, love is the test that the truthfulness of the heart must pass. Love requires both sacrifice and utter vulnerability, for it leaves the heart open to rejection. It requires courage to be willing to take the risk.
In Christianity, love is not mere sentimentality but a relationship that entails personal cost. This is why the cross of Christ sums up love more eloquently than any other event in history. For the love of the unlovable and undeserving, God who is love, surrenders even to death. “He becomes the consummate expression of love, and in knowing Him we find that love which brings meaning.” The fourth stage of meaning, that of the mature adult, centers on security.
As a life draws to a close, only the expectation of something more
offers purpose. It is the promise of resurrection and life beyond the grave that takes all four elements of meaning – wonder, truth, love, and security – and binds them into a perfect hope. This hope is found in the person of Christ.”

This piece on wonder is really beautiful. It rings so true in my own experience. Since reading this a year or so ago, I have begun to rediscover the wonder of life, the thrilling mystery of the unknown. It exhibits itself in strange ways – lately, I really enjoy traveling at night (in Korean we say ‘pam-kil’, or ‘night road’). Wow… so mysterious, so full of something unknown, something so exciting yet unknown! Chris Kelly and I took a walk in the woods at night a few weeks ago – and it was so wonderfully mysterious! We did not really know where the path went, or where we would end up, but the sense of mystery and wonder was overpowering. Ravi is right in that our western conception of science – our idolization of science as god – has removed one of the most precious components of human life – mystery and wonder. Blessed be the God of all wonders!!! Praise God!!! :)

And I am so thankful to be one of His children.
Good to hear from you!