The Wonder Report: February 15, 2025

Thanks, Bess!

Great, thought provoking letter. Happy to see you here.

Thanks so much, Sally! I'm happy to be here.

So wonderful to see your name in my inbox. Have missed your writing. Jill G.

Thanks, Jill. I've missed interacting with you and the others who meet me here.

I've missed your writing!

Thanks, Prasanta. It's good to be connected here.

So glad you are writing again—whenever your schedule allows.

Thanks, Linda. I'm grateful for your grace.

Love your reflections and our shared love for living out the story of Christ through the church calendar!

Thanks, Emma. I'm glad for every conversation we've had about this.

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Jen Baden Howard

Feb 17, 2025Edited

I love this, Charity - not least the description of the journey that your replacement nativity figures made on their way to your home at Christmas, with Mary and Joseph arriving by FedEx on the 23rd! I treated our family to our first, Italian-made, full nativity scene, just like those in my family’s homes in Italy. In the Catholic Church, there is a blessing of the baby Jesus figures from the cribs on a specific Sunday in Advent, when everyone takes theirs from home to the service – it’s very moving. (Also, I love how you reflect the colours of the liturgical year with the floor mats for the children at your church!) Loved finding The Wonder Report in my inbox this weekend, such a treat whenever you are able to write it.

Thanks, Jenni! And thanks for sharing about your Italian-made nativity and the tradition of blessing the baby Jesus figures. Interestingly, both of my nativities (since I have two now!) have Mary holding the baby rather than him lying in a manger. I have wondered about that ... is it a stylistic choice or somehow a theological one.

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