Ringing in Wonder
The Thrill and Calm of a Christmas Newborn
Ding!
Two days before Christmas, I was relaxing at my mom’s in Iowa when my brother’s text jolted me out of my easy chair — his son Parker had just been born.
I shouted the news to my mom, and we grinned and hollered like kids.
One week later, I drove up to South Dakota with my mom, my daughter Elizabeth, and my son Eric to see the newest member of our family.
We each took a turn holding Parker, soaking up his warmth and tenderness.
My brother and his wife set our presents aside so their daughter Eleanor could open them with us there.
Even Eleanor—four years old and surrounded by presents—barely glanced at them. All eyes were on the baby boy God had given us.
In that living room, we basked in the miracle — voices softer, smiles easier.
People talk about how an older child can be jealous of a new brother or sister. I saw the opposite.
Eleanor is already adorable, but her new brother made her even sweeter. Any time Parker let out the slightest cry, she sprang into action, singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to calm him down.
Galatians 5:22-23 came to mind: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Choose Wonder
Earlier in the week, my family had been discussing each other’s “word of the year,” an idea I first heard from author/speaker Jon Gordon.
As I gently held my newborn nephew, the word “wonder” popped into my head.
It aligns with my goal to be more positive in 2026 — to focus on everyday beauty instead of living on high alert for problems.
Wonder isn’t ignoring what’s wrong. It’s making sure I don’t miss what’s good.
It’s not just noticing God’s work in nature; it’s seeing the wonder in every person I meet.
I don’t want to ignore the problems. I don’t want to stop pushing myself and others to be better.
But I pray that I will not take for granted all of the good that people do and make room for the joy in it.
Carry It Home
As we put on our coats to head out the door, Eleanor told me to hold up a second. She darted down the stairs and came back with the small turquoise gem she’d given me earlier — which I’d already managed to set down and forget.
Now it sits on the corner of my writing desk — a bright, simple reminder each morning to look for the wonder in this world and in God’s people.
Lord, let it ring at the start of each day.
Sharing Midwestern values through the stories of a hard-working single dad, all for the glory of God.